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Books 


T,H£ 

Crook  in  the.  Lot^ 

0R>   TUB 

VEREIGXTYAND  WIS  ^OM  OF  COX; 

« 

IN    THE 

JfmlHons  cf  Men,  dhp^yed; 

«- 

TOGETHEP.  WITH 

1  Ciini-riAK  DEPoaTiiEKT  under  them. 

BEIKG    THE    SUBSTAKCE   OF 

SEVERAL  SERMONS 
^cd,  vii.  13:  /*roT;.  xvi.  19.  and  r  Pf ij.  v.  t. 

By  the  Re-erend  and  LearneJ 
Mr.  THOJdAS  BOSTON, 

:■     MISISfER   OF    rFE    GOSPEL   JLt  ETfRlCK. 


■ .:'  I  he  affiic:iona  of  thi  right  eoua  ;  but  ',*;;  ji 
ereili  him  o  t  of  them  ally  Psalm  xxxiv.  19. 


t--j  iMTB  III  iim»jM«a>jaa 


PHILADELPUI.^  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  DAVID  HOGAN, 

NO     -49,   MARKET-STELEr. 

1811. 


DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 

Treasure  "Room 

• 

k.      .  J 


IHIC 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

THE  Rex^rendMr.  Thomas  Boston*  es  a/reacfy  «v 
well  knonun  in  the  Christian  Churchy  by  hi»  many  elabo' 
rateyJu(Iici9USy  and  useful  ivritingSy  (hat  to  say  any  thing 
either  in  commendation  ofhim^  or  ayty  of  his  performaU' 
cesf  %uould  be  altogether  superfuous.  Let  it  suffice  t^ 
say,  that  this  valuable  Treatise^  noiu  again  offered  to 
the  Public^  hath  already  gone  through  a  number  ofim- 
firessionsf  and  deservedly  well  relished :  and  has  been 
extremely  useful,  es^iecially  to  all  (hose  V)ho  have  labour* 
ed  7ir,der  affliction. 

We  are  very  certain  it  was  among  his  last  works  in 
composition^  tuhen  he  had  fallen  in(§  a  declining  state  of 
health*;  and  among  the  last  pieces  he  had  begun  to  re* 
vise  and  prepare  for  the  pressy  luith  his  ovfn  handy  being 
luarTnly  solicited  thereto^  as  he  himself  acquaints  us,  in 
his  Memoir  By  by  a  letter  he  received  from  his  very  in(i- 
Tnate  friend,  Mr.  Hoggy  dated  A^'ov.  ISthy  1731. 

As  the  Lord  hath  made  these  subjects  useful  to  /lis 
own  souL  during  the  composition  of  them,  for  the  beneft 
of /as  oionfocky  in  his  afflicted  stmte  ;  he  the  more  readi' 
ly  complied  ivith  the  request  of  publishing  them  ;  and 
nuhen  he  had  any  intervals  qfhis  trouble,  began  to  look 
over  his  notes  for  publication,  and  had  made  some  pro' 
gress  in  the  luork  ;  but  got  if  not  completely  fnished,  be- 
ing preverited  by  his  grooving  indisposition y  and  being 
removed  by  death,  on  May  loth,  1732. 

JVhat  remained  rjas  transcribed  after  his  death  by  c° 
nother  hand;  and frst  published  in  the  year  1737,  ivith 
thefollovjing  recommendatory  Prefaccy  by  three  of  his 
dear  friends  tuho  subscribe  it. 

•  In  the  year  1730  and  J 731.  as  re  learn  from  hh 
Memoirs, 


IV 


^ 


J 

Thoitgk  tkey  acquaint  u^,  that  the  Crook  in  the  Lot 
%vas  amongst  the  last  subjects  the  Author  handled  and 
amongst  his  last  works  with  the  fieui  yet  they  do  not 
tell  U8  h'iv)far  he  himself  revised  that  fierformancey  and 
where  they  began.  Hoiuever^  the  intelligent  readers  of 
^Ir,  Boston* s  different  tracts,  firefiared  Jor  the  /irew, 
and  published  by  himself  in  his  life-time^  loill  he  at  no 
Irjss  to  perceive  how  far  he  proceeded  in  revising  this 
piecCi  by  his  pointing  cwr,  as  usual,  the  emphatical 
t'jords  and  phrases  in  Italic  characters,  tw- inverted  com- 
Tuas;  Vfhich^  in  the  first  edition  rf  the  boQky  we  see  haa 
only  been  done  in  the  first  doctrine. 

In  order  to  make  the  whole  of  this  iirjircsaion  as  unt' 
J^rm  as  possible,  an  attempt  ha^  been  made  to  point  out 
thf  emphasis  throughout  the  whole.  The  edition  now 
offered  to  the  Public  is  carefully  corrected  by  the  first  o- 
rij^inal  one,  and  freed  of  sever aiinaccuracics  that,  had 
crept  into  some  late  imfirestions* 

Ediubupgii,          > 
\ef  JugU8(  1795.      J 


PREFACE, 


MR.  Thomas  Boston,  the  youngest  of  <evei- 
chlldren,  born  1676,  of  creditable,  r-iigiou?  • 
parents,  in  the  town  of  Dunse,  wherr  they  had 
some  heritage ;  he  was  licensed  to  peach  1697; 
ordained  minister  at  Simprin*  1^9;  married 
:•  700,  to  Catherine  Brown,  of  gord  extract,  in  the 
])ari -h  of  Culross  ;  a  gentlewoir«in  of  singular  wis- 
dom, and  many  rare  endow*»^nt3,  (by  whom  he 
iiad  a  good  many  childre-i,  of  whom  two  sousf, 
and  tv.'o  daughters  sur'  ive  them  ;  transported  to 
Ettrick:j:  1707;  died  J7'32,  near  five  yeai's  before 
hh  spouse^,  in  fhe  56th  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  of  a  stature  above  the  middle  size,  of  a 
venerable  amiable  aspect,  with  liis  own  hair  ori- 
^^Inally  black,  of  a  strong  and  fruitful  i^enius,  of  a 
llvffly  ima2^Tiation,  (such  as  affords  what  is  calicu 
readij  xvit,  which,  instead  of  cultivating,  he  laid 
under  a  severe  restraint ;)  of  tender  affections,  a 
clear  and  solid  judgment ;  his  temper  candid,  mo- 
A2 

'  *  The  smalU'Mt  charge  of  a  country  fiarish  tu-rhajis  in 
Scotland,  net  bein^'-  quiie  ninety  examinable  persons  in 

■  -is  time. 

t  One  succeeded  his  father^  in  name^  office^  end  c^^r^e. 

X  One  of  the  remotest  snd  ^wildest  places  in  the  s$uth 
of  Scotland. 

§  j^monif  her  other  uncommon  ejicellencics*  she  ivai 
eminent  for  her  exemplary  bearing  of  cj^ lie i^r.^  under 
xvhich  she  ifas  boived  doivn^  'well  nigh  as  long  as  ih^4 
da::srh^er  of  Ab-r.^^c^u  -menliored  in  Luke  !:iii    '  ' 


71  PREFACE, 

dcst,  cautious,  benevolent,  obliging,  and  courte- 
ous ;  had  a  natural  aversion  to  any  thing  rude  or 
uncivil  in  words  or  behaviour,  and  a  delicate  feel- 
ing in  case  of  meeting  with  ought  of  that  sort ; 
could  be  heavy  with,  and  severe  in  his  words^when 
there  was  just  occasion,  or  he  judged  the  ^jBim^ 
nccessar)^ 

Ke  was  early  called  by  divine  grace  ;  all  along 
afterwards  exercised  unto  godliness ;  walked  in- 
*decd  witiJ  God  in  all  his  ways  ;  daily  acknovf  ledg- 
ing  him ;  fi'equent  in  solemn  extraordinary  appli- 
cations to  heayen,  (t>/2.  upon  every  new  emergent 
of  duty,  difHcultj^  or  trial,)  followed  with  evident, 
comfortable,  and  confirming  testimoiucs  of  divine 
acceptance  and  audk^fnce;  a  diligent,  judicious 
observer,  recorder,  an<i  improver  of  the  dispensa- 
tions of  divine  providence,  in  connection  with  the 
word,  his  own  frame  and  wa*'  k,  and  consequently 
of  great  experience  in  religion  :  He  was  accurate- 
ly and  extensively  regardful  of  the  divine  law,  in 
all  manner  of  life  and  conversation  (cv*^n  in  thinj?s 
that  escape  the  notice  of  most  part  of  Christians,) 
of  a  tender  conscience,  carefully  watching  agsinajj 
and  avoidiag  the  appearance  of  evil ;  compassior*- 
ate  and  sytnpathizing  with  the  distressed^  chari- 
table to  t-he  needy,  (to  the  degre*  of  religiously  set- 
ting apart  the  tenth  of  his  worldly  substance  3^ear- 
ly  for  their  supply ;)  a  dutiful  husband,  an  induW 
gent  father,  a  sincere,  a  faithful,  and  an  affection- 
ate friend ;  to  which  he  had  a  particular  cast  in 
his  temper,  which  proved  a  rich  blessing  to  them 
who  were  favoured  with  his  friendship* 

lie  was  a  considerable  scholar  in  all  the  parts  of 
theological  learning,  and  t:xcelied  in  some  of  them. 
What  he  was  for  a  humaiiist,  (even  towards  the 
latter  end  of  his  days)  his  translation  of  his  own 
^ork,  on  the  Hebrew  accentiuition,  into  good  Ro- 


P  R  £  F  A  C  E»  vii 

man  Latin,  will  abundantly  testify:  He  was  well 
seen  in  the  Greek ;  and  for  the  skill  he  attained  in 
the  Hebrew,  he  will,  we  are  satisfied,  in  ages  to 
come  be  admired,  and  had  in  honour  by  the  learn- 
ed world ;  especially  when  it  is  understood  under 
what  disadvantages,  in  what  obscurity  and  seclu- 
sion from  learned  assistances,  the  work  was  com- 
posed ;  and  when  it  is  considered  how  far,  not- 
withstanding, he  has  outstripped  all  that  went  be- 
fore him  in  that  study,  namely,  of  the  Hebrew 
accentuation.  He  understood  the  French ;  and 
for  the  sake  of  comparing  translations,  could  read 
the  Dutch  Bible.  There  were  few  pieces  of  learn- 
ing that  he  had  not  some  good  taste  of;  but  ail  his 
knowledge  behoved  to  be  otherwise  discovered 
than  by  his  professing  of  it*  He  v/as  a  hard  stu- 
dent, of  indefatigable  application ;  so  that  wh?.te« 
ver  he  was  once  heartily  f:n gaged  in,  he  knew  net 
to  quit,  till,  by  help  from  heaven,  and  incessant  la- 
hour,  he  got  through  it.  He  had  a  gi'eat  know- 
ledgt;  and  understanding  of  human  nature,  of  the 
most  proper  methods  of  addressing  it,  and  of  the 
most  likeiv  handles  for  catching  hold  of  it. 

He  had  an  admirable  talent  at  drawing  a  papc: . 
which  made  a  statesman'"',  a  veiy  able  judge,  say,, 
(when  Mr.  Boston  was  clerk  to  the  synod  of  Merse 
and  Tiviotdale)  that  he  was  the  best  clerk  he  had 
ever  known  in  any  court,  civil  or  ecclesiastical. 
An  admirer  of  odier  men's  parts  and  gifts,  libe- 
rally giving  them  their  due  praise,  even  though  in 
some  things  they  differed  from  him ;  far  from 
censorious,  assuming,  or  detracting. 

'  As  a  minister,  he  had  on  his  spirit  a  de-ep  and 
high  sense  of  divine  things;  was  mighty  in  the 
scriptures,  in  his   acquaintance    with  th^  letter^ 

*  Mr,  Baillic  of  Jervi''.n'Q''^d 


wii  P   K   i.   i'    A   t   L. 

with  the  spiiit,  and  sense  of  them,  in  liappily  af, 
plying  and  aecommodating  them,  for  explaining 
and  illustrating  the  subject.  His  knowledge  and 
insight  into  the  mystery  of  Christ  was  great, 
though  a  humbling  sense  of  his  want  of  it  vras  like 
to  have  quite  sunk  and  laid  him  by,  after  he  begun 
to  preach.  He  had  a  peculiar  talent  for  going 
deep  into  the  mysteries  of  the  gospel :  and  at  the 
same  time,  making  the-m  plain,  making  intelligi- 
ble their  connection  with,  and  influence  upon  gos- 
])cl  holiness ;  notable  instances  qf  which  may  be 
seen  in'^liis  most  valuable  treatise  of  the  Covenant, 
and  in  his  sermons  oi^  Christ  in  the  form  of  a  ser- 
vant. 

His  invention  was  rich,  but  judiciously  bound- 
ed; his  thoughts  were  always  just,  and  often  new  ; 
his  expressix)ns  proper  and  pure  ;  his  illustrations 
and  similes  often  surprising;  his  method  natural 
and  clear;  his  delivery  grave  and  graceful^  with 
an  air  of  earnestness,  meekness,  assurance,  and^iu- 
thority,  tempered  together.  No  woncUr  his  mi- 
nistrations in  holy  things  were  all  of  them  dear 
and  precious  to  the  saints. 

He  was  fixed  and  established,  upon  solid  and 
rational  grounds,  in  the  reformation  principles,  in 
opposition  to  popery,  prelacy,  superstition,  and 
persecution  ;  he  was  pleasant  and  lively  in  con- 
versation, hut  always  with  a  decorum  to  his  cha* 
1  acter  :  quite  free  of  that  sottrness  of  temper,  or 
r/.vc#/;Va/ rigidity,  that  generally  possesses  men  of 
a  retired  life. 

He  fed  and  watched  with  diligence  the  fiock  o* 
ver  which  the  Holy  Ghost  made  him  over^cr ; 
and  not^v'ilhstandinJ^  his  eager  pursuit  of  that  stu- 
dy, which  was  his  deliglit,  he  abated  nothing  of  his 
])reparation  for  *hc  Sabbath,  nor  of  his  work  a- 
•- •  0  id  in  the  vr.r'^  •   i   v.         ,       -     , 


PREFACE. 


rs 


the  short-hand,  whereof  he  was  master,  but  alway* 
wrote  out  his  sermons  fair,  and  generally  as  full  as 
he  preached  them;  far  from  serving  thfe  Lord 
with  that  which  cost  him  nothing.  It  was  his  de- 
light to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  service  of 
the  gospel :  was  a  faithful,  and  at  the  same  time 
a  prudent  reprover  of  sin ;  was  endued  with  a 
rich  treasure  of  Christian  wisdom  and  prudence, 
without  craft  or  guile,  whereby  he  was  ex- 
ceeding serviceable  in  judicatories,  and  excellent- 
ly fitted  for  counsel  in  intricate  cases. 

Zeal  and  knowledge  were  in  him  united  to  7L 
pitch  rarely  to  be  met  with;  had  a  joint  concern 
for  purity  and  peace  in  the  church ;  no  man  more 
zealous  for  the  former,  and  at  the  same  time  more 
studious  of  the  latter,  having  observed  and  felt  so 
much  of  the  mischief  of  division  and  separatioil» 
He  was  exceeding  cautious  and  scrupulous  of  any 
thing  new  or  unprecedented,  until  he  was  tho*» 
roughly  satisfied  of  its  necessity  and  grounds. 

It  was  his  settled  mind,  that  solidly  and  strong- 
ly to  establish  the  truth,  was,  in  many  cases,  the 
best,  the  shortest,  and  the  most  effectual  way  to  con- 
fute  error,  without  irritating  and  inflamingthe  pas- 
sions of  men,  to  their  own  and  to  the  truth's  pre- 
judice :  therefore,  in  his  explication  and  vindica- 
tion of  the  Protestant  doctrine,  in  a  paroxism  quai  - 
elled  and  condemned  in  a  certain  book,  he  answer- 
ed all  and  every  body,  but  took  notice  expressly  of 
no  body^.  He  obeyed  the  voice,  1  Tim.  vi.  11. 
Btit  thou^  O  man  ofGod^fiee  these  things :  Being  in 
an  uncommon  degree  dead  to  the  world  ;  finding, 
says  he,  in  the  account  of  this  life,  the  business  of 
it  ensnaring  to  my  mind,  I  had- neither  heart  nor 

*  Alluding  to  his  notes  on  the  Marrow  of  Modern 
Divinity, 


^  PREFACE. 

hand  for  it.  On  all  which  accounts  he  was  much 
respected  and  regarded  by  not  only  his  brethren, 
tli;it  differed  from  him,butgt:ncrn.]lv  bv  sll  sort'-,  of 
men. 

To  ccncludc  ;  h*  was  ascribe  ^li-^uiaiiy  liirstiuct 
cd  unto  the  kingdom; — ^happy  in  finding  out  ac- 
ceptable words ; — a  workman  that  needed  not  be 
ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  M'ord  of  truth; — a 
burning  and  a  shining  light.  The  righteous  shall 
be  had  hi  everlasting'  remembrance. 

Though  a  skilful  hand  might,  in  fewer  words, 
liave  drawn  his  character  to  much  better  purpose, 
there  is  no  partiality  by  overdoing  in  what  is  said, 
ii  intimate  friendship  for  many  years,  and  the  ac- 
count of  his  own  life,  done  by  himself,  are  allow- 
ed for  competent  evidences  :  liut  the  hearing  him 
preach  one  sermon  would  have  said  something  that 
cannot  be  said  how. 

His  removal,  in  the  juncture  wherein  he  was  ta- 
ken away,  some  are  satisfied,  had,  on  several  ac- 
counts, more  of  the  divine  anger  in  it  with  respect 
to  this  church,  than  is  commonly  apprehended. 

It  might  have  been  more  edifying,  had  there  heeik 
room  for  li  here,  to  have  heard  of  him  in  his  own 
words,  from  the  general  account  of  his  life,  by  him 
addressed  to  his  childicn  :  Out  5f  which  we  shall, 
with  their  leave,  subjoin  only  a  few  touches  to- 
wards the  cUse  of  it,  as  follows  : 

**  Thus  also  I  was  much  addicted  to  peace,  and 
*'  averse  from  controversy  ;  though  once  engaged 
"thcirein,  I  was  set  to  ^o  through  v/ith  it.*  1  had 
"  no  great  difficulty  to  retain  a  due  honour  and 
*' charity  for  mv  brethren,  differing  from  me  in  o- 
>*  pinion  and  pniciice  :  But  then  I  was  in  no  ^eai 

•    The    Centroveriy  relflfiie  to  t'"e  Marrow 
irhie. 


PREFACE.  xi 

'hazard  neither  of  being  swayed  by  them  to  de- 
^*  part  from  what  I  judged  truth  or  duty.  Withal, 
"  it  was  easy  to  me  to  yield  to  them  in  things  where- 
"  in  I  found  not  myself  in  conscience  bound  up* 
"  Whatever  precipitant  steps  I  have  made  in  the 
''course  of  my  life,  which  I  desire  to  be  humbled 
*'  for,  rashness  in  conduct  v/as  not  my  weak  side. 
"  But  since  the  Lord,  by  his  grace,  brought  me  to 
"  consider  things,  it  was  mrxh  my  exercise  to  dis- 
•'cern  sin  and  duty  in  particular  cases,  being  afraid 
"  to  venture  on  things,  until  1  should  see  myself 
**  called  thereto  :  but  Vvhen  the  matter  was  cleared 
'*  to  me,  I  generally  stuck  fast  by  it,  being  as  much 
''  afraid  to  desert  the  way  which  I  took  to  be  point- 
''  ed  out  to  me.  I  nevt-r  had  the  art  of  making 
*■•  rich,  nor  could  I  ever  heartily  apply  myself  to 
*'  the  managing  of  secular  affairs  ;  even  the  secular 
"■^jway  of  managing  the  discipline  of  the  church  was 
'*  so  unacceptable  to  me,  that  I  had  r.o  heart  to  dip 
^'in  the  public  church  management.  What  ap- 
'*  pearances  I  made,  at  any  time,  in  these  matters, 
*'  were  not  readily  in  that  way."  He  concludes  : 
"  And  thus  have  I  given  some  account  of  the 

'days  of  my  vanVty. — Upon  the  whole,  i  bless  my 
'^  God,  in  Jesus,  that  ever  he  made  me  a  Christian, 
''  and  took  an  early  dealing  with  mv  soul ;  that 
*'  ever  he  made  me  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and 
^'  gave  me  some  insight  into  tht  doctrine  of  his 
*'  grace,  and  that  ever  he  gave  me  the  blest  Bible, 
*' and  brought  me  acquainted  with  the  originals, 
'*  and  especially  with  the  Hebrew  text.  The  world 
*'  hath  long  been  a  stepdame  to  me ;  and  v/hatso- 
'*  ever  I  would  have  attempted  to  nestle  in  it,  there 
"  was  a  thorn  of  uneasiness  laid  for  me.  Man  is 
*'born  crying,  lives  complaining,  and  dies  disap- 
**  pointed  from  that  quarter.  All  is  vanity  and  vex- 
*'  ation  of  spirit,  1  have  -waited for  thy  salvation. 
''OLordy 


Alll 


PREFACE. 


Habitual  unreconciledness  to  the  cross,  and  a 
palpable  deficiency  in  many  of  thejduties  incum- 
bent on  us,  as  members  of  the  body  of  Christ, 
mightily  mar  our  Christian  comfort,  our  edifica- 
tion, our  usefulness  :  And,  instead  of  adorning, 
they  cast  a  dark  shade  on  our  holy  profession.  For 
remedy  in  both  cases,  the  Lord  in  his  kind  provi- 
dence, is  sending  us  fresh  assis'tance  in  the  two 
iollowing  treatises.  Both  the  subjects  are  set  in  a 
new  and  in  an  engaging  light.  It  is  not  amiss  that 
the  reader  should  know,  that  the  former,  namely, 
that  of  the  Crook  in  ont^s  I  ot^  was  among  the  last 
subjects  the  blessed  author  handled  ;  and  that  the 
revising  of  it  so  far,  for  he  got  not  through  his 
notes,  was  amongst  his  last  works  with  the  pen.^ 
We  shall  leave  it  to  exercise  the  reader's  atten- 
tion how  far  he  himself  revised  ;  and  where  we 
have  only  his  notes  as  he  preached  them.  May 
the  same  divine  blessing,  v/hich  the  author  oftw^n 
and  earnestly  sought  to  accompany  aught  of  his 
that  was,  or  should  be  called  forth  for  the  service 
of  the  church,  go  along  with  these  treatises*  that^ 
here  follow  .'  { 

Alex.  Coldek. 
Gap..  Wilso:  - 
II.Davidsox. 


*  The  Frcfacers  of  the  Fi'o,  i.^a.iy;.  ■:•/  i/**^  ^^^.^u-nt 
Tfact^  published^  along  with  z/,  ,so?ne    Sermons  cm  the 
Nature  of  Church   Communion;  bu!  it  is   c?:fr;  ';- 
Crook  in  the  Lot,  thecuthor*s  last .^enicine  v:ork^ 
haejirwd  ao  ^aveiiry  (s  many  in    '  -      ' 


CROOK  IN  THE  LOT. 


EccL.  vii.  13. 

Coimder  the  work  of  God:  For -a) ho  can  make  that 
straight  which  he  hath  made  crcoked  ? 

A  JUST  view  of  afPiicting  incidents  is  altoge- 
ther necessar}'^  to  a  Christian  dtportmcnt 
under  tlieni :  And  that  view  is  to  be  obtained  on- 
ly by  faith,  not  by. sense.  For,  it  is  the  light  of 
the  word  aione  that  represents  them  justly,  dis- 
covering in  them  the  work  of  God,  and  conse- 
quently designs  becoming  the  divine  ptrfcctions. 
These  perceived  by  the  eye  of  faith,  and  duly 
considered,  one  has  a  just  view  of  afflicting  inci- 
dents, fitted  to  quell  the  turbulent  motions  of  cor- 
rupt affections  under  dismal  outward  appearances. 
It  is  under  this  view  that  Solomon,  in  the  pre- 
ceding part  of  this  chapter,  advances  several  para- 
doxes, which  are  surprising  determinations  in  fa- 
vour of  certain  things,  that,  to  the  eye  of  sense, 
looking  gloomy  and  hideous,  are  therefore  gene- 
rally reputed  grievous  and  shocking.  Ke  pro- 
nounceth  the  day  of  ones  death  to  be  better  than 
the  dcij  of  his  birth;  namely,  the  day  of  the  dea\h 
of  one,  who,  having  become  the  friend  of  God 
through  faith,  had  led  a  life  to  the  honour  of  God, 
and  service  of  his  generation,  and  thereby  raised 
to  himself  the  good  aad  savoi^ry  nome  better  than 
B 


i4  The  C 

/)rtclc;:.-i  obitnicnt^  vci.  1.  in  like  iiiauncr,  he  pro- 
liounct'tli  the  house  of  mourmniif  to  be  prcl'crable 
to  the  hou-':e  offeastin^y  soj-ro'v  to  laughter^  and  :; 
-rvise  VI an'.';  rebiikf  to  aff^oVs  son;^  ;  for  that,  ho'.v- 
heit  the  latter  are  indeed  the  wore  pleasant,  yet 
rhc  former  are  the  more  profitable,  ver.  2 — — o. 
And  ohser\'ing  with  concern,  how  men  are  in  ha- 
zard, not  only  from  the  world's  frowns  :uk1  ill  u- 
sagc,  oppression  making  a  xvisc  men  mad^  bi::  ;'.l-o 
from  its  smiles  and  caresses,  a  gift  destroycth  tlic 
heart;  therefore,  since  whatever  way  it  goes,  there 
is  danger,  he  pronounccth  the  the  end  of  evert' 
worldly  thing  better  than  the  bcginnv.zg  thcrerf^ 
ver.  7^.B,  ■  And  fromjthe  whole,  he  justly  inftr*:, 
that  it  is  better  to  be  humble  r.i:d  patient,  umm 
proud  and  impatient,  imder  afflicting  dispensa- 
tions ;  since,  in  the  former  case,  one  wisely  sub- 
mits to  what  is  really  best;  in  the  latter,  he  nghts 
against  it,  ver.  8.  And  he  dchoris  from  being  ;in- 
gry  with  our  lot,  because  of  the  adversitv  ft^iual 
therein,  ver.  9;  cautions  against  makir: 
compaiisons  of  former  and  present  times,  i:i  .n.. 
]',oint  insinuating  undue  reflections  on  the  prov?- 
(lence  of  God,  ver.  10.  and,  against  that  querulous 
and  fretful  disposition,  he  first^irescribesa  genera 
remedy,  namely,  holy  wisdom,  as  that  which  enj. 
{)les  one  to  make  the  best  of  evrry  thing,  a:.  !  ;  .. 
giveth  life  in  killing  circumsianees,  ver. 
And  then  a  particular  remedy,  consisting  j;.  ..  ,i^... 
application  of  that  wisdom,  towards  the  tr.kir.g  a 
just  view  of  the  case.  Consider  thew.rk  of  C-c' . 
Vor  7cho  can  riake  that  atraight  ivhick  he  hath  ;;:  ;.V 

a  QOkCd:^ 

In  which  words  is  proposed,   1.  lliv 
itself;  2j,  The  suitableness  thereof. 

Firsty  The  remrdy  itself,  is  a  wise  l;.  i..r.^^  .,  .. 
bimd  of  God  in  nil  w^^  find  tQ  bear  hard  noon   ^ 


The  Crook  in  the  Let.  15 

Consider  the  work  (or,  see  thou  the  doing-)  of  God ^ 
viz.  in  the  crooked,  rough,  and  disagreeable  parts 
of  thy  lot,  the  crosses  thou  findest  in  it.  Thou 
seest  very  well  the  cross  itself;  yea,  thou  turnest 
it  over  and  over  in  thy  mind,  and  leisurely  views 
it  on  ail  sides  ;  thou  lookest  withal  to  this  and  the 
other  second  cause  of  it,  and  so  thou  art  in  a  foam 
and  a  fret:  Eut,  wouldst  thou  lie  quieted  and  sa- 
tisfied in  the  matter,  lift  up  thine  eyes  tov.ards 
licaven,  see  the  doi7ig-  of  God  in  it,  the  operation  of 
his  hand  :  Look  at  that,  and  consider  it  well ;  eye 
the  first  cause  of  the  crook  in  thy  lot ;  behold  how 
it  is  the  -work  ofGod^  his  doing. 

Secondly y  As  for  the  Suitableness  of  this  remedy, 
that  view  of  the  crook  in  our  lot  is  very  suitable 
to  still  indecent  risings  of  heart,  and  quiet  us  under 
it:  ''''  For -vi'ho  can  (that  is,  none  can)  make  that 
*'  straight  -ji^hich  God  hath  made  cro:ihedT'^  As  to 
the  crook  in  thy  lot,  God  hath  made  it ;  and  it 
must  continue  while  he  will  have  it  so.  Shouldst 
thou  ply  thine  utmost  force  to  even  it,  or  make  it 
straight^  tiiine  attempt  will  be  vain:  It  will  not 
alter  for  all  thou  canst  do ;  only  he  who  made  it 
can  mend  it,  or  make  it  straight.  Tiiis  consider- 
ation, this  view  of  the  matter,  \%  a  proper  means, 
at  once,  to  silence  and  to  satisfy  men,  and  so  to 
bring  them  unto  a  dutiful  submission  to  their  Ma- 
ker and  Governor,  under  the  crook  in  their  lot. 

Now,  we  take  up  the  purpose  of  the  text  in  these 
three  doctrines. 

DocT.  I.  Whatsoever  crook  there  is  in  one's 
lot,  it  is  of  God's  making, 

DccT.  II.  What  God  sees  meet  to  mar,  one 
vrill  not  be  able  to  mend  in  his  lot. 

DoGT,  III.  The  considering  the  crook  in  the 
^ot,  as  the  work  of  God,  or  of  his  making,  is  a 


16  The  Crook  vi  the  Lot, 

proper  means  to  bring  one  to  a  Christian  deport- 
ment under  it, 

T)ocT.  I.  Whatsoever  craok  there  is  in  one'^s  let, 
it  is  of  Goal's  yiakin^. 

Here  two  things  iall  to  be  considered,  namely, 
the  crook  its'.'lf,  and  God's  making  of  it. 

I.  As  to  the  crook  itself,  the  crock  in  the  lot ; 
for  the  better  unrlerstanding  thereof,  these  fe\T 
things  that  follow  are  premised. 

1 .  There  is  a  certain  train  or  course  of  events, 
by  the  providence  of  God,  falling  to  Qxery  one  of 
us  during  our  life  in  this  >vorld  :  And  that  this  is 
our  lot,  as  being  allotted  to  as  by  the  sovereign 
God,  our  Creator  and  Governor,  "  m  whose  hand 
**  mtr  breath  is,  and  whose  are  all  our  rvays,-^ 
This  train  of  events  is  widely  different  to  different 
persons,  according  to  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the 
sovereign  manager,  who  ordereth  men's  conditions 
in  the  world  in  a  great  variety,  some  moving  in  a 
higher,  some  in  a  lower  sphere. 

2.  In  that  train  or  course  of  events,  some  fall 
out  cross  to  us,  and  aguinst  the  grain  ;  and  these 
make  the  crook  in  our  lot.  ^V^hile  we  are  her^, 
there  will  be  cross  events,  as  well  as  agreeable 
ones,  in  our  lot  and  condition.  Sometimes  things 
are  softly  and  agreeably  gliding  on  ;  but,  bye  and 
bye,  there  is  some  incident  which  alters  that 
course,  grates  us,  and  pains  us,  as  when  having 
made  a  wrong  step,  we  begin  to  halt. 

3.  Kvery  body's  lot  in  this  world  hath  som<» 
i:rook  in  it.  Complainers  are  apt  to  make  odious 
comparisons ;  they  look  about,  and  taking  a  dxstant 
view  of  the  condition  of  others,  can  discern  no- 
thing in  it  but  what  is  straight,  and  just  to  one's 
wish ;  so  they  pronounce  their  neighbour's  lot 
wholly  str.Tight.  But  tl;at  is  a  false  verdict ;  there 
is  no  perfection  here  ;  no  lot  out  of  hr-^vr^  ^"\\h 


7 he  Crook  in  the  Lc.:.  17 

9UX  a  Cxook.  For,  as  to  "  all  tlie  v/orks  that  are 
*'  done  under  the  3un»  behold  all  is  vunit}-  aad  vcs- 
'"'  atioii  of  spirit.  That  which  is  crookea  Cvinnot  be 
*' made  straight."  Eccl.  i.  14-,  15.-  Vvlio  would 
have  thought  but  Haman^s  lot  was  ver)^  strai^h'-, 
while  his  family  was  i.\  a  flourishing  conJiiion, 
and  he  prospering  in  riches  and  honour,  being 
prime  minister  of  state  in  the  Persian  court,  and 
stmding  high  in  the  king's  favour :  Yet  there  was, 
at  the  same  time,  a  crook  in  his  lot,  v,hich  so  grill- 
ed him,  that  *'  all  this  availed  him  ucthmg."  Kiiih. 
X'.  13.  Every  one  feels  for  himself,  where  h-  is 
pinched,  though  others  perceive  it  not.  No  bod}  's 
iot,  in  this  world,  is  u holly  crooked  ;  there  are 
alv/ays  some  straight  and  even  p-irts  it.  Indeed, 
v.'hen  men's  passions,  having  got  up,  have  case  a 
ir.istpvcr  their  minds,  thty  are  ready  fo  si.y,  aU 
is  wrong  with  them,  noth„ng  right;  but  tliough'in 
hell  t!iat  tale  is,  and  ever  will  be  true,  yet  it  is  ne- 
v^er  true  in  this  world  ;  for  ihere^  indeed,  there  is 
not  a  drop  of  comfort  allowed,  Luke  xvi.  2j.  but 
herd  it  always  holds  good,  that  *'  it  is  ot  th-.  Lor„:'s 
*'  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed,"  Lam.  iii. 
22. 

4.  Tl^e  crook  in  the  lot  came  into  the  world  by 
sin:  it  v/as  owing  to  ihe  fail,  Rom.  v.  12.  **  By 
"  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by 
"sin;  under  v/hich  death,  the  crook  in  the  lot  is 
comprehended,  as  a  stiite  oi  comfort  or  prosjjtrit:'. 
•5,  in  scripture  st}'le,  exprestby  livini^^  1  Sam.  xxv. 
o.  John  iv.  50.  51.  Sin  so  bowed  the  hearts  and 
>:nind'j  of  men,  as  they  became  crooked  in  respect 
of  the  holy  law;  and  God  justly  so  bowed  their 
iot,  as  it  became  crooked  too.  And  this  crook  in 
^urlot  inseparably  follows  our  sinful  condition,  till, 
Iropping  this  body  of  sin  and  death,  wc  ^ti  v,  ith- 
n  h-avc-^'s  gales. 


1 8  The  Crook  in  thelfiU 

These  being  prciuised,  a  crook  in  the  ht  apeak*:, 
in  the  general, tv.o  things,  (1.)  Adversity,  {2.)Cc?:' 
tinuance*  Accordingly  it  mukcs  a  day  of  adver- 
sity^ opposed  to  the  day  cf  pro-^^p"*-^^".  in  t^i'i 
verse  immediately  following th-  text. 

The  crook  in  the  lot  is,  Firat^  Some  one  or  otner 
piece  of  adversity*     The  prosperous  part  of  one's 
lot,  which  goes  forwnrd  according  to  one's  wish, 
is  the  straight  and  even  part  of  it;  the  advers'- 
part,  going  a  contrarj^  way,  is  t,he  crookrfd  part 
thereof.    God  hath  intermixed  these  two  in  m  ^-i'- 
rondition  in  this  world;   that,  as  there  is  ^ 
prosperiiy   therein   making  the  straight  lin. 
r.here  is  also  some  adversity,  making  the  crc- 
The  which  mixture  hath  place,  not  only  in  \?. 
of  saints,  who  are  told,  that  in  the  -world  ihey     . 
have  tribulation^  but  even  in  the  lot  of  ail,  r^  a. 
ready  observed.     Secondly^  It  is  adversity  of  some 
continuance.  We  do  not  reckon  it  a  crooked  thinj:, 
which,  tho*  forcibly  bended  and  bowed  together, 
vet   presently   recovers    its    former   straiglunes^ 
These  are  twinges  of  the  rod  of  adversity,  v/  ' 
•asslng  like  a  stitch  in  one's  side,  all  is  immec';   * 
ly  set  to  righi.3  again;  one's  lot  m:\v  he  suddeul" 
overclouded,  and  the  cloud  ^vanish  ere  he  is  r. 
ware.     Eut  under  the  crook,  one  havirg  leisure  t  j 
f.nd  hit;  smart,  is  in  some  concern  to  get  the  crook 
evened.      So  the    crook  in  the    lot    is  adversity, 
continucil  for  shoiter  or  longer  time. 

l-^ow^  there  is  a  threefold  crc :^^  i- 
dent  to  the  children  of  men. 

1.  Oi»c  made  by  a  cross  dispensation., 
howsoever  in  itself,  passing,  yet  hath  lasting  effects. 
Such  a  crook  did  Herod' J' cruelty  make,  itithe  lot 
of  the  mothers  in  Bethlehem,  who  by  the  murder- 
ers were  I  f:  **v/ccpii!g  for  their  shin  children,  and 
'  u'Q.^d  net  S>^  cojnforted,  because  tliey  were  not" 


riie  Crook  VI  the  Lot>  1^ 

Mat  ii,  18.  A  slip  of  the  foot  may  soon  be  made, 
which  will  make  a  maa  go  halting  all  along  aftero 
**  As  the  fishes  are  taken  in  an  evil  net, — So  are  the 
*'  sons  of  men  shared  in  an  evil  time,"  £ccl.  ix.  12. 
The  thing  may  fall  out  in  a  moment,  under  which 
the  party  ahall  go  halting  to  the  grave. 

2.  There  is  a  crook  made  by  a  train  of  cross 
dispensatioiiSj  v.'hether  of  the  same  or  diifereni 
kinds,  following  hard  one  upon  another,  and  leav- 
ing lasting  effvicts  behind  them.  Thus  in  the  cacr 
of  Job,  while  one  messenger  of  evil  tidings  xvas  yet 
iipeaking^  another  came^  Job  i.  16 — 18.  Cross  e- 
vents  coming,  one  upon  the  neck  of  another,  deep 
callinq"  unto  cfeep,  make  a  sore  crook.  In  that  case 
the  party  is  like  unto  one,  who  recovering  his  sli- 
ding foot  from  one  unfirm  piece  of  ground,  sets  it 
on  another  equally  unfirm,  which  immediately 
gives  way  under  him  too  :  or,  like  unto  one,  who 
travelling  in  an  unknov/n  mountaneous  tract,  after 
iiaving,  with  difficulty,  made  his  Vv-ay  over  one 
mountain,  is  expecting  to  see  the  plain  country  ; 
but  instead  thereof  there  comes  in  view,  time  after 
time,  a  new  mountain  to  be  passed.  This  crook  in 
Asaph's  lot  had  like  to  have  made  him  give  up  all 
hisreligion,  until  hezvent  i:ito  thcsanctiKtrn,  where 
this  mystery  of  providence  v/as  unriddfed  to  him, 
?sal.  Ixiii.  13 — 17.  Solomon  observes,  'VT^j/. 
*'  there  be  just  men,  unto  whom  it  happeneth  ac- 
*'  cording  to  the  work  of  the  wicked,"  Eccl.  viii.- 
14.  Providence  taking  a  run  against  them,  as  ii 
they  v^ere  to  be  run  dov/n  for  good  and  all.  Who- 
ever they  be,  v/hcse  life  in  no  part  thereof  affords 
them  experience  of  this,  sure  Joseph  missed  not  of 
it  in  his  young  days,  nor  Jacob  in  his  middle  days. 
nor  Peter  in  his  old  da^-s,  nor  our  Saviour  aii  hie 


20  'I'hc  O:ok  in  the  Lot. 

3.  There  !s  ;i  crook  made  by  one  cross  dispen- 
-ifi  '  X  effects  thereof  coming  into  tK 

ro.^r.i  v^;  »ii.v>ii.ci-  removed.  Thus  one  croos 
straightened,  there  is  anotlicr  made  in  its  plac: : 
and  so  there  is  still  a  crook.  Want  of  cliildren 
;iad  lon^-j  been  the  crook  in  Kachers  lot,  Gen.  xxr. 
I.  That  Mas  at  length  evened  to  her  mind;  but 
ihen  she  got  anotli-^r  in  its  stead,  liLrd  labour  in 
uavailing  to  bring  forth,  chop.  xxxv>  16.  Tiiiii 
v.orld  is  a  v/ilderness,  in  v.hich  we  may  indeed 
get  our  station  changed :  but  the  remove  may  be 
< 'Ut  of  one  wilderness  station  to  another.  When 
one  part  of  the  lot  is  evened,  readily  some  other 
T)art  thereof  w  111  be  crooked- 

JNIore  parti cuiurlys^//^  t'/'v.;/' -•  St 

four  things  of  the  nature  of  that  which  is  crooked. 

(1.)  Disa((rceablcnefis.  A  crooked  thing  is 
wayvrard;  and  being  laid  to  a  rule  ansvrers  it  not, 
but  declines  from  it.  There  is  not,  in  any  body's 
lot,  any  such  thing  as  a  crook,  in  respect  of  the 
iVill  :\\vl  pnrposg  oi  Ciod.  Take  the  most  harsU 
and  dismal  drspensation  in  one's  lot,  and  lay  it  tc 
the  eternal  decree,  made  in  the  depth  of  infinite* 
v*'isdom,  before  the  world  began,  and  it  will  an- 
swer i-  tfiwactly,  without  the  least  deviation,  all 
thhif;'s  behiq-  7vrcii^ht  after  the  counsel  ef  his  ivill, 
Kph.  1.  11.  Lay  it  to  the  providential  will  of 
God,  ia  the  government  of  the  world,  aiid  tliere  is 
:i  j.-erfcct  harmony. — If  Paul  is  to  be  bound  at  Je- 
lusaleui,  and  '•dcliv;;red  into  the  hands  of  the 
''  G'jiitilcr:,-'  it  is  '*the  will  of  the  Lord''  it  should 
be  so,  Acts  xxi.  11 — 14.  Wherefore,  tlie  gre^t- 
cat  crook  of  the  lot,  on  earth,  is  straight  in  hea- 
ven :  there  is  no  disagreeableness  in  it  there.  Bi.t 
in  every  person's  lot  tliere  is  a  crook  in  res;  <  ' 
their  mirul  :\w'\  natural  inclination.  The  a 
dispensation  ii':*^  cross  to  that  rule,  end  will  hy  ik 
menn'i  an^'v-c-  it.  nor  harmonize  witii  it.     "^^'hv^ 


TheCroof.lnthe  Ut.  9A 

divine  providence  lays  the  one  to  the  other,  there 
is  a  manifest  disagreeableness :  the  man's  vrill  goes 
one  wav,  and  the  dispensation  another  -vray  :  tho 
■will  bends  upward,  and  the  cross  events  press 
down :  so  they  are  contrar}'.  And  there,  and  only 
there  lies  the  crook.  It  is  this  disagreeableness 
which  makes  the  crook  in  the  lot  fit  matter  of  trial 
and  exercise  to  us,  in  this  our  state  of  probation  ,* 
in  the  which,  if  thou  wouldest  approve  thyself  to 
God,  walking  by  faith,  not  b3/  sight,  thou  must 
quiet  thyself,  in  the  will  and  purpose  of  God,  and 
not  insist  that  it  should  he  according  to  tfirj  mhidy 
Job  xxxiv.  33.  .-i;^, 

(2.)   UnsightUncss,      Crooked   things   are   un- 
pleasant to  the  eye :  and  no  crook  in  the  lot  seem- 
eth  to  bejoifous^  but  g-rievous^  making  up  an  un- 
sightly apTiearance,  Heb.  xii.  It.     Therefore  men 
need  to  beware  of  giving  way  to  their  thoughts,  to 
dwell  on  the  crook  in  their  lot,  and  of  keeping  it 
too  much  in  vievr.     David  shews  a  hurtful  expe- 
rience of  his,  in  that  kind,  Psai.  xxxix.  3.  "While 
**  I  was  musing  the  fire  burned."     Jacob  acted  a 
wiser  part,  called  his  youngest  son  Benjamin^  the 
son  of  the  right-hand,  whom  the  dying  mother  had 
named  Benoniy  the  son  of  my  sorrow;  by   thifi 
means  providing,  that  the  crook  in  his  lot  should 
not  be  set  afresh  in  his  view,  on  every  occasion  of 
mentioning  the  name  of  his  son.  Indeed,  a  christian 
may  safely  take  a  steady  and  leisurely  view  of  the 
crook  of  his  lot  in  the  light  of  the  holy  word,  which 
represents  it  as  the  discipline  of  the  covenant.     So 
faith  will  discover  a  hidden  sightliness  in  it,  under 
a  YGvy  unsightly  outward  appearance  ;  perceiving 
the  suitableness  thereof  to  the  infinite  goodness, 
love,  and  wisdom  of  God,  and  to  the  real  and  most 
valuable  interest  of  the  party  by  which  means 
one  comes  to  take  pleasure,  and  that  a  most  refin- 


22  The  Crooh  in  the  Lou 

^d  pleasuri^iii  distress,  2  Gor.  xii.»10.    But  what 
v\  or  the  crook  in  the  lot  be  to  the  eye  of  fstith,  ' 
not  at  a]^  plwisant  to  the  eye  of  scnae. 

(3.)  XJnfinu'ss  for  motion,     Solomon  observe' 
the  cause  of  the  uneasy  and  ungraceful  walking  of 
the  lame.     Prov.  rxvi.  7.   '^  The  le^s  of  the  lame 
*'  ars  not  equak"     This  uneasiness  they  find,  wh. 
:<re  exercised  about  the  crook  in  the  lot:   a  higl. 
spirit  and  a  low  adverse  lot,  makes  great  di$iculr 
la  the  Christian  walk.    There  is  nothing  that  givt 
temptation  more  easy  access,  than  the  crook  in  th 
lot;  nothing  mere  apt  to  occasion  out-of-the-way 
i^teps.     'I'hv'iefoi  •  saith  the  apostle,  Heb.  xii.  13. 
*'  Make  straij;ht  the  paths  for  your  feet,  lest  tlia* 
'■'  v/hich  is  lame  be  turned  out  of  the  way."     1  hey 
are  to  be  pitied,  then  who   arc  labouring  under  it 
and  not  to  be  rigidly  censured ;  tho'  they  are  rar'- 
persoi)^  who  learn  this  lesson,  till  taught  by  their 
own  experience.     It  is  long  since  Job  made  an 
observe  in  this  ca:se  which  holds  good  imto  this 
day,  Job  xii.  5.  *'He  that  is  ready  to  slip  with  his 
"feet,  is  as  11  lamp  despised  in  the  tho'jght  of  Kim 
"  that  is  at  ease."  ;, . 

(4.)  "  Aptness  to  catch iiold  and  cii-aiii^  ,  ;■ 
"  hooks,  fish-hooks,"  Amos  iv.  2.  The  crook  in  the 
lot  doth  so  readily  make  imj^ession,  to  the  ruf- 
fling, and  fretting  one's  spirit,  irritating  corruption, 
that  Satan  fails  not  to  make  diligent  use  of  it  to 
these  dangerous  purposes :  the  which  point  once 
gained  hy  the  tempter,  the  tempted,  ere  he  is  a- 
^vare,  tind*  himself  entangled  as  in  a  thicket,  ou* 
of  which  he  knows  not  how  to  extricate  himself 
In  that  temptation  it  often  proves  like  a  crooked 
stick,  troubling  a  standing  pool,  the  which  not  onl} 
raisetli  up  the  mud  all  over,  but  brings  up  fron. 
the  bottom  some  ver\'ugly  thing.  Thus  it  h:*ought 
■  ■aspheray  and  adieisv         '^   iph'tJ 


I  hd  Crook  hi  the  Lot,  '-kc 

case,  Fsal.  iMxiii.  14.  "  Verily  I  have  cleansed  my 
*' heart  in  vain,  and  .washed  my  hands  in  innc- 
'■'"ccnce:"  As  if  he  had  said,  there  is  nothing  at 
all  in  religion,  it  is  a  vain  and  empty  thing  that 
;-.rolitetli  nothing;  I  was  a  fool  to  have  been  in 
• -are  ttbout  purity  and  holiness,  -whether  of  heart 
or  life.  Ah  !  is  this  the  pious  Asaph  !  Hovr  is  he 
urn^d  so  quite  unlike  himself !  but  the  crook  in 
the  lot  is  til 3  handle,  whereby  the  tempter  makes 
surprising  discoveries  ot  latent  coiTuption  even  in 
he  best. 

This  is  the  :iatiu-c  of  the  crook  in  the  lot ;  let  us 
:\ow  observ^e  \\\\z.ipayt  ofihehi  it  falls  in.     Three 
onclusions  may  be  establisr.od  upon  this  head. 

\st.  It  may  fall  in  amj  part  of  the  lot ;  there  is 
"O  exempted  onv;  in  the  case  :  for^  sin  being  found 
■T  every  p:^rt,  the  crook  may  take  place  in  anv  paix. 
3eing  '^  all  as  an  irnclean  thing,  we  may  all  fade 
'  as  a  leaf,"  Isa.  Ixiv.  6.  The  main  stream  nf  sin, 
vhicirthe  crook  readily  follows,  runs  in  very  differ- 
■?X  ciiannels,  in  the  case  oi"  diifercnt  persons.  And 
:.  regard  of  the  various  disposition-j  of  the  m»indtf 
■i  men,  that  will  prove  a  sinking  weight  unto  one, 
vhicli  another  would  go  very  lightly  u^uler. 

2r////',  It  may  at  once  fall  in  viahij  part.:,  of  the 
■jt,  the  Lord  calling,  as  in  a  solemn  dav,  one':^ 
•  rrors  round  about,  Lam.  ii.  22.  Sv;metiines  God 
.vr;kc5  one  notablti  crook  in  a  malt's  lot';  but  its 
.  ..me  may  be  Gad,  being  but  the  forerunner  of  » 
\iop  v.'hicii  cometh, — Then  the  crooks  are  miS- 
"•plied,  so  that  the  party  is  made  to  halt  on  each, 
•de.  While  one  stream^^lct  in  from  one  quarter, 
•.  running  full  against  hiiii,  another  is  let  in  on 
.:m  from  another  quarter,  ti^^  *ri  t%-  —  r]  tb.-  '—a- 
•Ts  brer.>  in  -^n  everv  h^t-pd. 


2  !•  The  Crook  in  the  L 

t^illiji  It  often  fall$  in  the  tender  part ;  I   mcaa, 
that  part  of  the  lot  wherein  one  is  least  able  to  beai 
it,  or,  at  least  thinks  he  is  so.   Psalm  Iv.  12,  13. 
*-''  It  was  not  an  enemy  that  reproached  me,  then  I 
*^  could  have  borne  it.     But  it  was  thou,  a  man, 
*'  mine  equal,  my  £;uide,  and  mine  acquaintance.*' 
^i  there  is  any  one  part  of  the  lot,  which  of  ail  o- 
thers,  one  is  disposed  to  nestle  in,  the  thorn  will 
readily  be  laid  there,  t  specially  if  he  belongs  to 
God ;  in  that  thin^  wlicrein  he  is  least  of  all  ablij 
to  be  touched,  he  will  be  sure  to  be  pressed.  Ther;; 
the  trial  w  ill  be  taken  of  him ;  for  there  is  a  grand 
competition  w  ith  Christ.     "  I  take  from  them  the 
*•  desires  of  their  eyes,  and  that  whereupon  the}' 
**  set  their  minds.'*  Ezek.  xxiv.  25.     Since  the 
crook  in  the  lot  is  the  special  trial  appointed  lor 
every  cne,  it  is  altogether  reasonable,  and  becom- 
ing the  wisdom  of  God,  that  it  fall  on  that  which 
cf  all  tiungs  doth  most  rival  him. 

But  more  particularly,  the  crooh  may  be  obscr/- 
ea  to  fall  in  these  four  parts  of  the  lot. 
.     Firsts  In  th.  natural  pan,  affecting  perso;.:.  z:.v.- 
sidcrcd  as  of  the  make  allotted  for  them  by  tfte 
great  God  that  formed  all  things.    The  parents  of 
niankiiid,  Adam  and  Eve,  wei^  formed  altogother 
sound  and  entire,  without  the  least  blemish,  whe- 
ther in  soul  or  body:  but  in  the  formation  of  their 
posterity,  there  oiV^^n  appears  a  notable  variation 
from  tile  original.     Eodil)'  defects,   superfluities, 
deformities,  infirmities,  natural  or  accidental,  make 
the  c-ook  in  the  lot  of  some :  they  have  some- 
thing unsightly  or  grievous  about  them.     Crooks 
of  this  kind,  more  or  less  observable,  are  ver} 
comm.on  and  ordinary,  the  best  not  exempted  from 
them;  and  it  is  purely  owing  to  sovereign  plea- 
sure they  are  not  more  numerous.     Tender  eyes 
rnade  xh,^  crook  in  the  lot  of  Leah,  Gen»  xxix.  17c 


The  Crcok  in  the  Lot.  25 

KachePs  beauty  was  balanced  with  barenness,  the 
crook  in  her  lot,  chap-  xxx.  1.  Paul,  the  great  a- 
postle  of  the  Gentiles,  was,  it  should  seem,  no 
personable  man,  but  of  a  mean  outward  appearance, 
for  which  fools  were  apt  to  contemn  him,  2  Cor. 
X.  10.  Timothy  was  of  a  crazy  frame,  weakly  and 
sickly,  1  Tim.  v.  23.  And  there  is  a  yet  far  more 
considerable  crook  in  the  lot  of  the  lame,  the  blind, 
the  deaf,  and  the  dumb.  Some  are  wesk  to  a  de- 
gree in  their  intellectuals ;  and  it  is  the  crook  in 
the  lot  of  several  bright  gouIs  to  be  overcast  with 
clouds,  notably  Demisted  and  darkened,  from  the 
erazy  bodies  they  are  lodged  in ;  an  eminent  in- 
stance whereof  we  have  in  the  grave,  wise,  and 
patient  Job,  ^'  going  mourning  without  the  sun ; 
*•'  yea  standing  up  and  crying  iathe  congTegation," 
Job  xxx.  28. 

Secondly^  It  may  fall  on  the  honorai'ij  part. 
There  is  lui  honour  due  to  ail  men,  the  small  as 
AveU  as  the  great,  1  Pet.  ii.  17.  And  that  upon  the 
groimd  of  the  original  constitution  of  human  na- 
ture, as  It  was  framed  in  the  image  of  God.  But 
in  the  sovereign  disposal  of  holy  providence,  the 
crook  in  the  let  of  some  falls  here  ;  they  are  ne- 
glected and  slighted  \  their  credit  is  still  kept  low  ; 
ihey  go  through  the  Vrorld  under  a  cloud,  being 
put  into  an  ill  name,  their  reputation  sunk.  This 
jometinies  is  the  native  consequence  of  their  own 
foolish  and  sinful  conduct ;  as,  in  the  case  of  Di- 
nah, who,  by  gadding  abroad  to  satisfy  her  youth- 
ful curiosity,  regardless  of,  and  therefore  not  wait- 
ing for  a  providential  call,  brought  a  lasting  stain 
on  her  honour.  Gen.  xxxiv.  But  where  the  Lord 
intends  a  crook  of  this  kind  in  one's  lot,  innocence 
v/ill  not  be  able  to  ward  it  off  in  an  ill-natured 
world  \  neither  will  true  merit  be  able  to  make 
C 


26  The  Creek  in  the  Lol. 

head  against  it,  to  make- one's  lot  stand  straight  in 
that  part.  Thus  David  represents  his  case,  PRal. 
xxxi.  11,  12,  13.  "  They  that  did  see  me  without, 
"  fled  from  me  :  I  am  forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out 
^*  of  mind  :  I  am  like  a  broken  vessel.  Fpr  I  hava 
"  heard  the  slander  of  many." 

Tbird/y^  It  may  fall  in  tht  vocational  part. 
Whatever  is  man's  calling  or  station  in  the  world, 
be  it  sacred  or  civil,  the  crook  in  their  lot  may 
take  its  place  therein.  Isaiah  was  an  eminent  pro- 
phet, but  most  unsuccessful,  Isa.  liii.  1.  Jeremiah 
met  with  such  a  strain  of  discouragements  and  ill 
usage,  in  the  exercise  of  his  sacred  function,  that 
he  was  well  near  giving  it  up,  saying,  "  I  v/ill  not 
"  make  mention  of  him,  nor  speak  any  more  in  his 
"  name,"  Jer.  xx.  0.  The  Psalmist  observes  this 
crook  oftan  to  be  made  in  the  lot  of  some  men  ve- 
ry indvistrious  in  their  civil  business,  who  .•■:cw  tin 
fields — and  at  times,  "  God  blesseth  them— and 
"  3ufFereth  not  their  cattle  to  decrease  :"  B'lt  a- 
gain,  "  they  are  diminished  and  brought  low 
*^  through  oppression,  affliction,  and  sorrow," 
Psalm  cvii.  37,  38,  39.  Such  a  crook  was  mude 
in  Job's  lot  after  he  had  long  stood  even.  Some 
manage  their  employments  jvith  all  care  and  dili- 
gence ;  the  husbandman  carefully  labouring  his 
ground;  the  sbcep -master  "  diligent  to  know  the 
*'  state  of  his  flocks,  and  looking  well  to  his 
*'  herds  ;"  the  tradesman,  early  and  late  at  his  bu- 
siness: the  merchant,  diligently  plying  his  w-atch- 
ing  and  falling  in  v/ith  the  most  fair  and  promis- 
ing opportunities ;  but  there  is  such  a  crook  in 
that  part  of  their  lot,  as  all  they  are  able  to  do 
can  by  no  means  even.  For  why  ?  The  most  pro- 
per means  used  for  compassing  an  end  are  insij^ 
nificant,   without  a   word  of  divine  appointrnti.t 


The  Crook  in  the  Lo.U  ^ 

commanding  their  success.  "  Who  is  he  that 
*'  saith,  and  it  cometh  to  pass,  when  the  Lord 
"  commandeth  it  not?"  Lam.  iii.  37.  People  ply 
their  business  with  skill  and  industry,  but  the  wind 
turns  in  their  face,  Providence  crosseth  their  en- 
terprises, disconcerts  their  measures,  frustrates 
their  hopes  and  expectations,  renders  their  endea- 
vours unsuccessful,  and  so  puts  and  keeps  them 
still  in  straitning  circumstances.  "  So  the  race  is 
*'  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong,  nei- 
"  ther  yet  bread  to  the  wise,*'  Eccl.  ix.  12.  Pro- 
vidence interposing  crooks  and  measures  which 
human  prudence  and  industry  had  laid  straight  to- 
wards the  respective  ends;  so  the  swift  lose  the 
race,  and  the  Strang  the  battle,  and  the  wise  miss 
of  bread  ;  while,  in  the  mean  time,  some  one  or 
other  provideotiiil  incident,  supplying  the  defect 
of  human  wisdom,  conduct,  and  ability,  the  slow 
gain  the  race,  and  carry  the  prize  ;  the  weak  win 
the  battle,  and  enrich  themselves  with  the  spoil  j 
and  the  bread  falls  into  the  lap  of  the  fool. 

Lastly^  It  may  fall  in  the  relational  part.  Rela- 
tion«  are  the  joints  of  society;  and  there  the  crook 
in  the  lot  may  take  place,  one's  smartest  pain  be- 
ing often  felt  in  these  joints.  They  are  in  their 
nature  the  springs  of  man's  comforts ;  yet,  they 
often  turn  the  greatest  bitterness  to  him.  Some- 
times this  crook  is  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  rela- 
tions. Thus  a  crook  was  made  in  the  let  of  Ja- 
cob, by  means  of  the  death  of  Rachel,  his  beloved 
wife,  and  the  loss  of  Joseph,  his  son  and  darling, 
which  had  like  to  have  made  him  go  halting  to 
the  grave.  Job  laments  this  crook  in  his  lot,  chap. 
xvi.  7.  "  Thou  hast  made  desolate  all  my  compa- 
*'  ny;"  meaning  his  dear  children,  every  one  of 
%vhom  he  laid  in  the  grave,  not  so  much  as  one 
son  or  daughter  left  him.     Again,  sometimes  it  is 


2S  The  Crook  in  the  Lot- 

made  through  the  afflicting-  hand  of  God  lyirtg 
hea\y  on  them  ;  the  which,  in  virtue  of  the  rela- 
tion, recoils  on  the  party,  as  is  feelingly  expressed 
by  that   believing  woman,   Mat.  xv.  22.  **  Have 
"  mercy  on  me^  O  Lord  ;  my  daughter  is  griev- 
*^' ously  vexed."     Ephraim   felt  the  smart  of^^ 
course  of  afflictions,  "  when  he  called   his  son's 
'*  name  Beriah,   because    it   went   evil  with  his 
"  house,"  1  Chron.  %^ii.  23.     Since  all  is  not  only 
vanity,  but  vexation  of  spirit,  it  can  hardly  miss, 
but  the  more-  of  these  springs  of  comfort  are  open- 
ed to  a  man,  he  must,  at  one  time  or  other,  find  he 
has  but  the  more  sources  of  sorrow  to  gush  out 
and  spring  in  upon  hiiTi ;  the  sorrow  always  pro- 
portioned to  the  comfort  found  in  them,  or  expect- 
ed from  them.      And,  finally,  the  ci-ook  is  some- 
times made  by  their  proving  incomfortable  through 
the  disagreeableness  uf  their  temper,  disposition, 
and  way.  There  was  a  crook  in  Job's  lot,  by  means 
of  an  undutiful,  ill-natured  wife.  Job  xix.  17.     In 
Abigail's,  by  means  of  a  surly,  ill-tempered  hus- 
band, 1  Sam.  xxv.  25.     In  Eli's,  through  the  per- 
verseness  and  obstinacy  of  hi«  children,  chap«  ii. 
25.     In  Jonathan's,  through  the  furious  temper  ci 
his  father,  chap.  xx.  30,  33.     So  do  men  often- 
times find  tlieir  greatest  crosS,  where  they  expect- 
ed their  greatest  comfort.     Sin  hath  unhinged  th? 
whole  creation,  and  made  every  relation  suscepti- 
ble of  the  crook.    In  the  family  arc  found  masters 
hard  and  unjust,  servants  froward  and  unfaithful ; 
in  a  neighbourhood,  men  selfish  and  uneasy ;  in 
the  church,  ministers  unedifying,  and  offensive  in 
their  walk,  and  people  contemptuous  and  disorder 
ly,  a  burden  to  the  spirits  of  ministers  ;  in  the 
state,  magistrates  oppressive  and  discountenancers 
of  that  which  is  good,  and  subjects  turbulent  ann 


Tlie  Crook  in  the  Lot.  29 

sedi:  pus  j  alLthese  cause  crooks  ia  the  lot  of  their 
relatives.     And  thus  far  of  the  crook  itself. 

XI.  HaviHg  seen  the  crook  itself,  we  are,  in  the 
next  place,  to  consider  of  God's  making  it.  And 
here  is  to  be  shewn,  1.  That  it  is  of  God's  ma- 
king. 2.  How  it  is  of  his  making.  3.  Why  he 
mai;3s  it. 

First.  That  the  crook  in  the  lot,  whatever  it  is, 
is  of  Gad^s-  makings  appears  from  these  three  con- 
siderations 

Firsts  It  cantiot  be  questioned,  but  the  crook  in 
the  lot,  considered  as  the  crook,  is  a  penal  evil, 
whatever  it  is  for  the  matter  thereof;  that  is, 
whether  the  thing  ip  itself,  its  immediate  cause 
and  occasion,  be  sinful  or  not,  it  is  certainly  a  pun- 
ishment or  affliction.  Now,  as  it  may  be,  as  such 
holily  and  justly  brought  on  us,  by  our  Sovereign 
.Lord  and  Judge,  so  he  expressly  claims  the  doing 
or  making  of  it,  Amos  iii.  6.  '"Shall  there*  be  evil 
"  in  a  city,  and  the  Lord  has  not  done  it  ?"  Where- 
fore, since  tliere  can  be  no  penal  evih  but  of  God's 
making,  and  the  crpek  in  the  lot  is  such  an  evils  it 
is  necessarily  concluded  to  be  of  God's  making. 

Secondly^  It  is  evident,  from  the  scripture  dec- 
trine  of  divine  providence,  that  God  brings  about 
every  man's  lot,  and  all  the  parts  thereof.  He  sit^ 
at  the  helm  of  human  affairs,  and  turns  them  about 
whithersoever  he  listeth.  ''Whatsoever  the  Lord 
'*  pleased,  that  did  he  in  heaven  and  earth,  in  the 
**  seas  and  all  deep  places,"  Psal.  cxxxv.  6.  There 
is  not  any  thing  whatsoever  befals  us,  without  YHs, 
over-ruling  hand.  The  same  providence  that 
brought  us  out  of  the  womb,  bringeth  us  to,  and 
fixeth  us  in  the  condition  and  place  allotted  for  us, 
by  him  who  "hath  determined  the  times  and  ih-x 
''  bounds  of  our  habitation,"  Acts  xviir  26.  I: 
C   2 


^{0  The  Crook  in  the  Lot: 

over-rules  the  smallest  and  most  casual  thin^ 
about  us,  such  as  '*  hairs  of  our  head  falling  on  the 
"  ground,"  Mat.  x.  29,  30,  "  A  lot  cast  i»to  a  lap," 
Prov.  xvi.  33.  Yea,  the  free  acts  of  our  will, 
tvKereby  we  chuse  for  ourseh'ts,  for  even  '''  the 
**  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  as  the 
"rivers  of  water,"  Prov.  xxi.  1.  And  the  whole 
steps  we  make,  and  which  others  make  in  refer- 
ence to  us  ;  for  "  the  way  of  man  is  not  in  himself; 
**  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps,'* 
Jer.  X.  23.  And  this,  whether  these  steps,  causing 
the  ctook,  be  deliberate  and  sinful  ones,  such  as 
Joseph's  brethren  selling  him  into  Egypt;  or 
%rhethcr  they  are  undesigned,  such  as  man-slaugh- 
ter purely  casual,  as  when  one  hewing  wood,  kills 
his  neighbour  with  *'the  head  of  the  ax  slipping 
*'  from  the  helve,"  Deur.  xix.  5.  For  there  is  a 
holy  and  wise  providence  that  governs  the  sinful 
and  the  heedless  actions  of  men,  as  a  rider  doth  a 
lame  horse,  of  whose  halting,  not  he  but  the  horse's 
own  lameness,  is  the  true  and  proper  cause ;  where- 
fore, in  the  former  of  these  eas^js,  God  is  said  to 
have  sent  Joseph  into  Egypt,  Gen.  xiv.  7.  and  in 
the  latter,  to  deliver  one  into  his  neighbour's  hand, 
Exod.  xxi.  13. 

Latithj^  God  hath,  by  anefemal  cl;  crec,  immov- 
able as  mouKtatns  of  brass ^  Zech.  vi.  1.  appointed 
the  whole  of  every  one's  lot,  the  crooked  parts 
thereof,  as  well  as  the  sti-aight.  3y  the  same  e- 
temal  decree,  whereby  tlie  high  and  low  parts  of 
the  earth,  the  mountains  and  th.^  vallies,  were  ap- 
pointed, are  the  heights  and  depths,  the  prosperi- 
ty and  adversity,  in  the  lot  of  the  inhabitants  there- 
of determined  ;  and  they  arc  brought  a.bout,  in 
time,  in  perfect  agreeableness  thereto. 

The  mystery  of  provi  dence,  in  the  goVermhcnt 
of  the  worl'    "  all  tlie  parts  thereof,  th-e  b\n  ' 


The  Crook  in  the  LA,  31 

in^  reared  up  of  God,  in  exact  conformity  to  th  : 
plan  in  his  decree,  "  who  worketh  all  things  aft 
"'  the  counsel  of  his  own  v/ill,"  Eph.  i.  11.  l 
that  there  is  never  a  crook  in  one's  lot,  but  may  be 
run  up  to  this  original.  Hereof  Job  piously  sets 
MS  an  example  in  his  own  case,  Job  xxiii.  13,  14. 
"  He  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him  ?  And 
**  what  his  soul  desireth,  even  that  he  doth.  For 
"  he  perform eth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for 
"me  :  and  many  such  things  are  with  him," 

Secondly,  That  we  may  see  ho^v  the  crook  in 
the  lot  16  of  God's  making,  we  must  distinguish 
between  pure  sinless  crooks,  and  impure  sinful 
ones. 

First^  Th€re  are  jnire  and  sinless  crooks  ;  the 
which  are  mere  afflictions,  cleanly  crosses,  griev- 
ous indeed,  but  not  defiling.  Such  were  Laza- 
rus's,  Rachel's  barrenness,  Leah's  tender  eyes- 
the  blindness  of  the  man  who  had  been  from  his 
birth,  John  ix.  1.  Now,  the  crooks  of  this  kind 
are  of  God's  making,  by  tlie  ^-fiicacy  of  his  pov/er 
directly  bringing  them  to  pass,  and  causing  them 
to  be.  He  is  the  Maker  of  the  poor,  Prov.  xvii. 
5.  "  Whoso  mocketh  the  poor,  reproacheth^his 
**  Maker,"  that  isjreprcacheth  God  who  made  him 
poor,  according  to  that,  1  Sam.  ii.  7.  '*'The  Lord 
*'  maketh  poor."  It  is  he  that  hath  the  key  of  the 
womb,  and  as  he  sees  meet^  shuts  it^  1  Sam.  i.  a, 
or  opens  it;  Gen.  xxix.  31.  And  it  is  '^hethat 
"formed  the  eye,"  Psalm  xciv.  9.  And  the  man 
was  "  born  blind,  that  the  works  of  God  should  be 
''made  manifest  in  him,"  John  ix.  3.  Therefore 
he  saith  to  Moses,  Exod.  ix.  11.  "Whoniaketh 
"  the  dumb,  or  deaf,  or  the  seeing,  or  the  blind? 
''  iTave  not  I,  the  Lord  V  Such  crooks  in  the  lot 
are  of  God's  making,  in  the  most  ample  sense,  and 
In  ♦:hpir  full  comprehtnsiQr.,  boine  "-        >■    -    t.- 


32  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

fects  of  his  ngency,  as  w^ll  as  the  heavens  and  the 
earth  are. 

S^ondiy^  There  are  impure  sinful  crooVsy  which, 
in  their  own  nature,  are  sins  as  well  as  afflictions, 
defiling  as  well  as  grievous.  Such  was  the  crook 
made  m  David's  lot,  through  his  family  disorders, 
the  defiling  of  Tamar,  the  murder  of  Aninon,  ihe 
rebellion  of  Absalom,  all  of  them  unnaturaL  Of 
the  same  kind  was  that  made  in  Job*s  lot  by  the 
Sabeans  and  Chaldeans,  taking  away  his  substance 
and  slaying  his  servants.  As  these  were  the  af- 
flictions of  David  and  Job  respectively,  so  they 
jprere  the  sins  of  the  actors,  the  unhappy  instru- 
ments thereof.  Thus  one  and  the  same  thing  may 
be,  to  one  a  heinous  sin,  defiling  and  laying  him 
under  guilt,  and  to  another  an  affliction,  laying 
him  under  suffering  only.  Now,  the  crooks  of 
this  kind  are  not  of  God's  making,  in  the  same  la- 
titude as  those  of  the  former :  For  he  neither  puts 
•^vil  in  the  heart  of  any,  nor  stirreth  up  to  it :  "  He 
**  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil,  neither  tempteth 
*'  he  any  man,"  James  i.  13.  But  they  are  of  hfs 
making,  by  his  holy  permissipn  of  them,  power&:l 
bounding  of  them.,  and  wise  over  ruling  of  them 
to  ^  me  good  endc 

1*/,  He  holily /?^rmi/*  thcifl,  suffering  men  ^'  to 
"  walk  in  their  own  ways,"  Acts  xiv.  1 6.  Though 
he  is  not  the  author  of  these  sinful  crooks,  causing 
them  to  be,  by  the  efficacy  of  his  power  :  yet  if  he 
did  not  perm't  them,  willing  not  to  hinder  them, 
they  could  not  be  at  all  ;  for  *'  he  shutteth  and  no 
**  man  opcneth,"  Rev.  iii.  7.  But  he  justly  with- 
holds his  grace,  which  the  sinner  doth  not  desire, 
takes  off  the  restraint  under  which  he  is  une«sy, 
and  since  the  sinner  will  be  gone,  lays  the  reins  on 
his  neck,  and  leaves  him  to  the  swing  of  his  lust. 
Hos.  iv.  17.   *  Ephraim  is  joined  to  idoh  :  lej  him 


The  Cr&ok  in  the  Lot,  -33 

aione."  Psal.  Ixxxi.  11>.12.  "  Israel  would  none 
*'  of  me  :  So  I  gave  them  up  to  their  oivn  hearts 
**  lust."     In  which  unhappy  situation,  the  sinful 
crook  doth,  from  the  sinner's  own  proper  motion, 
natively  and  infallibly  follow;  even  as  water  runs 
down  a  hill,  wherever  there  is  a  gap  left  open  l^fc- 
fore  it.     So  in  these  circumstances,  '^  Israel  Avalk- 
''  ed  in  their  own  counsels,"  ver.  12,     And  thu 
this  kind  of  crook  is  of  God's  making,    as  a  )l 
Judge,  punishing  the  sufferer  fey  it.     '^The  \i%'-c\ 
view  of  the  matter  silenced  David  under  Shv-at/i* 
cursings,  2  Sam.  xvi.  10.  "  Let  him  alor»<',  ar.d  k" 
*'  him  curse  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  bidden  him." 

2dlif^  He  powerfully  bounds  them,   Psal.  Ixxvi:. 
10.  '' The  remainder  of  wrath,"  (namely,  the  crea- 
ture's wrath)  "thou  shak  restrain."  Did  uot  Go-l 
bound  these  crooks,  howsoever  sore  they  are  in  a- 
ny  one's  case,  they  would  be  yet  sorer :  B  it  he  sav^ 
to  the   sinful   instrumtnt,   as  h^  said  to  the  sea, 
"  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come^  but  no  further  ;  and 
"  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed."  He  L'.ys 
a  restraining  band  on  him,  that  he  cannot  go  one 
step  farther,  in  the  v/ay  his  impetuous  lust  driv<".; , 
than  he  sees  meet  to  permit.     Hence  it  comts  iv> 
pass,  that  the  crook  of  this  kind  is  neither  tt/cre 
nor  less,  but  just  as  great  as  he  by   his  powv^^r  v:l 
bounding  makes  it  to  be.      An  eminent  inst.    co 
hereof  we  have  in  the  case  of  Job,  whose  1 
crooked  through  a  peculiar  agency  of  the 
but  even  to  that  grand  sinner,  God  set  a  b«- 
the  case  ;  "  The  Lord  said  unto  Satan,  Pt  h 
'*  that  he  hath  is  in  thy  power,  only  upon  V 
*'  put  not  forth  thine  hand,"  Job  u  12.  No 
tan  v/ent  the  full  length  of  the  bound,  leavi: 
thing  within  the  compass  thereof  untouched,  'a  '■:.■ 
he  saw  could  make  for  his  purpose,  ve v.  Ij.  i'> 
But  he  could  by  no  means  move  one  step  beyorrd 


34  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

it,  to  carry  his  point,  which  he  could  not  gain  with- 
in it.  And  therefore,  to  make  the  trial  greater, 
and  the  crook  sorer,  nothing  remained  but  that  the 
bound  set  should  be  removed,^  and  the  sphere  of 
his  agency  enlarged;  for  which  cause  he  saith, 
'*  But  touch  his  bone  and  his  flesh,  and  he  will 
*'  curse  thee  to  thy  face,"  chap.  ii.  5.  and  it  being 
removed  accordingly,  but  withal  a  new  one  set, 
ver.  6.  "  Behold  he  is  in  thine  hand,  but  save  his 
**  life  ;"  the  crook  was  carried  to  the  utmost  that 
the  hew  bound  would  permit,  in  a  consistency  with 
his  design  of  bringing  Job  to  blaspheme  ;  "  Satan 
**  smote  him  with  sore  boils,  from  the  sole  of  his 
*'  foot,  unto  the  crown  of  his  head,"  ver.  7.  And 
had  it  not  been  for  this  bond,  securing  Job's  life, 
he,  after  finding  this  attempt  successless  too,  had 
doubtless  dispatched  him  for  good  and  all. 

^dly^  Ho  wisely  over-rules  them  to  some  good 
purpose,  becoming  the  divim*  perfections.  While 
the  sinful  instrument  hath  an  ill  design  in  the  crook 
caused  by  him,  God  directs  it  to  a  holy  and  good 
€nd.  In  the  disorders  of  David's  family,  Amnon's 
design  was  to  gratify  a  brutish  lust ;  Absalom's,  to 
glut  himself  with  revenge,  and  to  satisfy  his  pride 
and  ambition  ;  but  God  meant  thereby  to  punish 
David  for  his  sin  in  the  matter  of  Uriah.  In  the 
crook  made  in  Job's  lot,  by  Satan,  and  the  Sa- 
beans  and  Chaldeans,  his  instruments,  Satan's  de- 
sign was  to  cause  Job  blaspheme,  and  their'd  to 
gratify  their  covetousness :  but  God  had  another 
design  therein  becoming  himself,  namely  to  mani- 
fest Job's  sincerity  and  uprightness.  Did  not  he 
wisely  powerfully  over-rule  these  crooks  made  in 
men's  lot,  no  good  could  come  out  of  them  ;  but 
he  always  over-rules  them  so  as  to  fulfil  his  own 
holy  purposes  thereby,  howbeit  the  sinner  meaneth 
not  so ;  for  his  designs  cannot  misQarry,  his  ^*  ceua- 


The  Crook  li^the  LoU  ^5 

"sel  shall  stand,"  Isa.  xlv.  10.  So  the  sinful 
crook  is,  the  over-ruling  hand  of  God,  turned  a- 
bout  to  his  own  glory,  and  his  people's  good  in  the 
end  ;  according  to  the  word,  Prov.  xvi.  4.  "  The 
*  Lord  hath  made  all  things  for  himself."  Rom. 
viii.  28.  "  All  things  work  together  for  good  to 
"them  that  love  God."  Thus  Haman's  plot  for 
the  destruction  of  the  Jews  "  was  turned  to  the 
"contrary,"  Esth.  ix.  1.  And  the  crook  made  ia 
Joseph's  lot,  by  his  own  brethren  selling  him  into 
Egypt,  though  it  was  on  their  part  most  sinful,  and 
of  a  most  mischievous  design ;  yet  as  it  was  of 
God's  making,  by  his  holy  pennis«ion,  powerful 
bounding,  and  wise  over-ruling  of  it,  had  an  issue 
well  becoming  the  divine  wisdom  and  goodness  : 
both  of  which  Joseph  noticethto  them,  Gen.  1.  20. 
"  As  for  you,  ye  thought  evil  against  me ;  but 
"  God  meant  it  into  good,  to  bring  to  pass,  ascitis 
"  this  day,  to  save  much  people  alive." 

Thirdly,  It  remains  to  enquire,  Why  God 
makes  a  crook  in  one's  lot  ?  And  this  is  to  be  clear- 
ed by  discovering  the  design  of  that  dispensation; 
a  matter  which  it  concerns  even,'  one  to  know,  and 
carefully  to  notice,  in  order  to  a  Christian  improv- 
ment  of  the  crcok  in  their  lot.  The  design  there- 
of seems  to  be  chiefly  seven-fold. 

Fir  sty  The  trial  of  one's  state.  Whether  one  is 
in  the  stpte  of  grace,  or  not  t  Whether  a  sincere 
Christian,  or  a  hypocrite?  Though  every  affliction 
is  tr)-ing,  yet  here  I  conceive  lies  the  main  provi- 
dential trial  a  man  was  brought  upon,  with  refer- 
ence to  his  state,  forasmuch  as  the  crook  in  the  lot, 
being  a  matter  of  a  continued  course?  one  has 
occasion  to  open  and  shev,r  himself  again  in  the 
same  thing;  whence  it  comes  to  pass,  that  it  niin- 
isters  ground  for  a  decision,  in  that  momentous 
point.     It  was  plainly  on  this  bottom  that  the  trisri 


3b  The  Crook  in  the  Lot^ 

of  Job's  state  was  put.  The  question  was,  wheth» 
cr  Job  was  an  upright  and  sincere  servant  of  God, 
as  God  himself  testjiied  of  him ;  or  but  a  mercena- 
ry one,  a  hypocrite,  as  Satan  alledged  against  him  t 
And  the  trid  hereof  was  put  upon  the  crook  to  be 
naade  in  his  lot,  Job  i.  8 — 12,  and  ii.  3-— 6.  Ac- 
cordingly, that  which  all  his  friends,  saME  Elihuthc 
liist  speaker,  did,  in  their  reasoning  with  him  un- 
der his  tiial  aim  at,  was  to  prove  him  a  h}'pocrite ; 
Satan  thus  making  use  of  these  good  men  for 
gaining  his  point.  As  God  took  a  trial  of  Israel 
in  the  wilderness,  for  the  land  of  Canaan,  by  a 
train  of  afflicting  dispensations,  the  which  Caleb 
and  Joshua  bearing,  strenuously,  were  declared 
meet  to  enter  the  promised  land,  as  h^vivs^folloxv- 
ed  the  Lord  fully  ;  while  others  being  tired  out  with 
them,  their  carcases  fell  in  the  wilderness ;  so  he 
makes  trial  of  men  for  heaven,  by  the  crook  in 
their  lot.  If  one  can  stand  tliat  test,  he  is  mani- 
fested to  be  a  saint,  a  sincere  servant  of  God,  as 
Job  was  proven  to  be  ;  if  not,  he  is  but  a  hypocrite  : 
he  cannot  stand  the  test  of  the  crook  in  his  lot,  but 
goes  away  like  dross  in  God's  furnace.  A  me- 
lancholy instance  of  which  we  have  in  that 
man  of  honour  and  wealth,  who,  with  high 
pretences  of  religion,  arisirtg  from  a  principle 
of  moral  seriousness,  addressed  himself  to  our 
Saviour,  to  knew  *'  what  he  should  do  that  he 
might  inherit  eternal  life,"  Mark  x.  17,  ^1.  Our 
Saviour,  to  discover  the  man  to  himself,  makes 
a  crook  in  his  lot,  where  all  along  before  it  had 
■stood  even,  obliging  him,  by  a  probatory  com- 
mand, to  sell  and  give  away  all  that  he  had,  and 
follow  him,  ver.  21.  "  Sell  whatsoever  thou  hast, 
"  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  come  take  up  the  cross 
^*  and  follow  me."  Hereby  he  was,  that  moment, 
itt  the  court  of  consc^nce,  stript  of  his  great  pes- 


The  Crook  in  the  LoU  ^7 

sessions.;  so  that  thenceforth  he  could  no  longer 
keep  thsm,  with  a  good  conscience,  as  he  migiit 
have  done  before,  The  man  instantly  felt  the 
smart  of  this  crook  made  in  his  lot ;  ''  he  was  sad 
*'  at  that  saying,"  ver.  22.  that  is,  immedlately 
upon  the  hearing  of  it,  being  struck  with  pain^ 
disorder,  and  confusion  of  mind,  his  countenance 
changed,  became  cloudy  and  louring,  as  the  same 
word  is  used.  Mat.  xvi.  3.  He  could  not  stand 
the  test  of  that  crook  ;  he  could  by  no  means  sub- 
mit his  lot  to  God  in  that  point,  but  behoved  to 
have  it,  at  any  rate,  according  to  his  own  mind- 
So  he  "  went  away  grieved,  for  he  had  great  po- 
ssessions," He  went  away  from  Christ  back  to  his 
plentiful  estate,  and  though  with  a  pained  and  sor- 
rowful heart,  sat  him  down  again  on  it  a  violent 
possessor  before  the  Lord,  thwarting  the  divine 
order.  And  there  is  no  appearance  that  ever  this 
order  was  revoked,  nor  that  ever  he  came  to  a  bet- 
ter temper  in  reference  thereunto. 

S^ondlij.  Excitation  to  dulij^  weaning  one  from 
this  world,  and  prompting  him  to  look  after  the 
happiness  of  the  other  world.  Blany  have  been 
beholden  to  the  crook  in  their lot,^  for  that  ever  they 
came  to  themselves,  settled  and  turned  serious^ 
Going  for  a  time  like  a  wild  ass  used  to  the  voilder^ 
Tiessy  scorning  to  be  turned,  their  foot  hath  slid  m 
due  time ;  and  a  crook  being  hereby  made  in  their 
lot,  their  month  hath  come  wherein  they  have  been 
caught,  Jer,  ii.  ^4.  Thus  was  the  prodigal  brought 
to  himself,  and  obliged  to  entertain  thoughts  of 
returning  unto  his  father,  Luke  xv.  1 7*  The  crook 
in  their  lot  convinces  them  at  length  that  here  is 
not  their  rest.  Finding  still  a  pricking  thorn  of 
uneasinessj  v/hensoever  they  lay  down  their  head 
D 


58  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

where  they  would  fainest  take  rest  in  the  creature, 
and  that  they  were  obliged  to  liit  it  again,  they  are 
brought  to  conclude,  there  is  no  hope  from  that 
quarter,  and  begin  to  cast  about  for  rest  another 
way,  so  it  makes  them  errands  to  God,  which  they 
had  not  before ;  forasmuch  as  they  feel  a  need  of 
the  comforts  of  the  other  world,  to  which  their 
mouths  were  out  of  taste,  while  their  lot  »tood  c- 
ven  to  their  mind.  Wherefore,  whatever  use  we 
miike  of  the  crook  in  our  lot.  the  voice  of  it  is,  A- 
rise  ye  and  deport^  this  is  ?iot  your  rest.  And  it 
is  surely  that,  which  of  all  means  of  mortification, 
of  the  afflictive  kind,  doth  most  deaden  a  real 
Christian  to  this  life  and  world. 

Thirdly t  Conviction  of  sin.  As  v/hcn  one  walk- 
ing heedlessly  is  suddenly  taken  ill  of  a  lameness  ; 
his  going  halting  the  rest  ol  his  way  convinceth  him 
of  having  made  a  wrong  step  ;  and  every  new  pain- 
iul  step  brings  it  afresh  to  his  mind  :  so  God  makes 
a  crook  in  one's  lot,  to  convince  him  of  some  laise 
step  he  hath  made,  or  course  he  hath  taken.  What 
the  sinner  would  otherwise  be  apt  to  overlook,  for- 
get, or  think  light  of,  is  by  this  means  recalled  to 
mind,  set  before  him  as  an  evil  and  bitter  thing, 
and  kept  in  remembrance,  that  his  heart  may  eve- 
ry now  and  then  bleed  for  it  afresh.  Thus,  by  the 
crook  men's  sin  finds  them  out  to  thei**  conviction, 
*'  as  the  thief  is  ashamed  when  he  is  found," 
Num.  xxxii.  2-3.  Jer.  ii.  26.  The  which  Joseph's 
brethren  do  feelingly  express,  under  the  crook 
made  in  their  lot  in  Egypt,  Gen.  xlii.  21.  **  We 
"  arc  verily  guilty  concerning  our  brother,"  chap, 
xliv.  16.  "  God  hath  found  out  the  iniquity  of  thy 
**  servants."  The  crook  in  the  lot  doth  usually, 
in  its  nature  or  circumstances,  so  natively  refer  to 
tlie  false  step  or  course,  that  it  serves  for  a  provi« 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  59 

dential  memorial  of  it,  bringing  the  sin,  though  of 
an  old  date,  fresh  to  remembrance,  and  for  a  badge 
of  the  sinner's  folly  in  word  or  deed,  to  keep  it  e- 
ver  before  him.  When  Jacob  found  Leah,  through 
Laban's  unfair  dealing,  palmed  upon  hiui  for  Ra- 
chel, how  could  he  miss  of  a  stinging  remembrance 
of  the  cheat  he  had  seven  years,  at  least,  before, 
put  on  his  own  father,  pretending  himself  to  be 
Esau?  Gen.  xxvii.  19.  How  could  it  mi?^s  of  gal- 
ling him  occasionally  afterwards  during  the  course 
of  the  marriage  ?  He  had  imposed  on  his  father  the 
younger  brother  for  the  elder ;  and  Laban  imposed 
on  him  the  elder  sister  for  the  younger.  The  dim- 
ness of  Isaac's  eyes  favoured  the  former  cheat , 
and  the  darkness  of  the  evening  did  as  much  fa- 
vour the  latter.  So  he  behoved  to  say,  as  Adoni- 
bezek  in  another  case,  Judg.  i.  7.  ♦*  As  I  have 
done,  so  God  hath  requited  me."  In  like  man- 
ner, Rachel  dying  in  child-birth,  could  hardly  e- 
vite  a  melancholy  reflection  on  her  rash  and  pas- 
sionate expression,  mentioned,  Gen.  xxx.  1.  "  Give 
*'  me  children,  or  else  I  die."  Even  holy  Job 
read  in  the  crook  of  his  lot,  some  false  steps  he  had 
made  in  his  youth  many  years  before,  Job  xiii.  26* 
*'  Thou  writest  bitter  things  against  me,  and  ma- 
"  kest  me  to  possess  the  iniquities  of  my  youth." 
Fourthly^  Correction,  or  punishment  for  sin: 
In  nothing  more  than  in  the  crook  of  the  lot,  in 
that  word  verified,  Jer.  ii.  19.  "Thine  own 
'"'  wickednefs  shall  correct  thee,  and  thy  backsli- 
dings  shall  reprove  thee."  God  mav,  for  a  time, 
wink  at  one's  sin,  which  afterward  he'll  set  a  brand 
of  his  indignation  upon  in  crooking  the  sinner's  lot, 
as  he  did  in  the  case  of  Jacob,  and  of  Rachel,  men- 
tioned before.  Though  the  sin  was  a  passing  ac- 
tion, or  a  courae  of  no  long  continuance,  the  mar!^ 


40  Tho  CrooK  vi  the  Lot. 

of  the  divine  displeasure  for  it,  set  oil  the  o. ....,:. 
in  the  crook  of  his  lot,  may  pain  him  long  and 
sore,  that  by  repeated  experience  he  may  know 
what  an  evil  and  bitter  thing  it  was.  David's  kill- 
ing Uriah  by  the  sword  of  the  Ammonites  was 
soon  over  ;  but  for  that  cause  "  the  sword  never 
"  departed  from  his  house,*'  2  Sam.  xii.  10.  Ge- 
hazi  quickly  obtained  two  bags  of  money  from 
Naaman,  in  the  way  of  falsehood  and  lying ;  but 
as  a  lasting  mark  of  the  divine  indignation  against 
the  profane  trick,  he  got  withal  a  leprosy  which 
clave  to  him  while  he  lived,  and  to  his  posterity 
after  him,  2  Kings  v.  27.  This  may  be  the  case, 
as  well  where  the  sin  is  pardoned,  as  to  the  guilt 
of  eternal  wrath,  as  where  it  is  not.  And  one  may 
have  confessed  and  sincerely  repented  of  that  sin, 
which  yet  shall  make  him  go  halting  to  the  grave, 
though  it  cannot  carry  him  to  hell.  A  man's  per- 
r.on  may  be  accepted  in  the  Beloved,  who  yet  hath 
a  particular  badge  of  the  divine  displeasure,  with 
his  sin  hung  upon  him  in  the  crook  of  his  lot, 
Psalm  xcix.  8.  "  Thou  wast  a  God  that  forgav^st 
**  them,  though  thou  tookest  vengeance  on  their 
**  inventions." 

Fifthli}^  Preventing  of  sin,*Hos.  il.  (S.  "  I  will 
"  hedge  up  thy  way  with  thorns,  and  make  a  wall 
''  that  she  shall  not  find  her  paths."  The  crook  in 
the  lot  will  readily  be  found  to  lie  cross  to  some 
wi'bng  bias  of  the  heart,  which  peculiarly  sways 
with  the  party:  so  it  is  like  a  thorn-hedge  or  stone 
wall  in  the  way  which  that  bias  inclines  him  to. 
The  defiling  objects  in  the  world  do  specially  take 
and  prove  ensnaring,  as  tliey  are  suited  to  the  par- 
ticular cast  of  temper  in  men  :  but  by  means  of  the 
crook  in  the  lot,  the  paint  and  varnish  is  worn  ofT 
»Vir  flphlincr  object,  whereby  itlrm.^t^  it<^  f-.rnirr  f-> 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  4i 

king -appearance:  so  the  fuel  being  removed,  the 
edge  of  corrupt  affections  is  blunted,  temptation 
weakened,  and  much  sin  prevented ;  the  sinner, 
after  "  gadding  about  so  much  to  change  his  waj'^ 
*'  retuniing  ashamed,"  Jer.  ii.  36,  o7^  Thus  the 
Lord  crooks  one's  lot  that  "he  may  withdraw 
*'  man  from  his  purpose  ;  and  hide  pride 
''  from  men  :"  And  so,  "he  keepeth  back  his  soui 
*'  from  the  pit,"  Job  xxxiii.  17,  18.  Every  one 
knows  what  is  most  pleasant  to  him  ;  but  God  a- 
lone  knoAV's  what  is  the  most  profitable.  As  all 
men  are  liars,  so  all  men  are  fools  too:  He  is  the 
onlij  wise  God^  Jude,  ver.  25.  Many  are  obliged 
to  the  crook  in  their  lot,  that  they  go  not  to  those 
excesses,  which  their  vain  minds  and  corrupt  af- 
fections would  with  full  sail  carry  them  to ;  and 
they  would  from  their  hearts  bless  God  for  making 
it,  if  they  did  but  calmly  consider  what  would 
most  likely  be  the  issue  of  the  removal  thereof, 
"When  one  is  in  hazard  of  fretting  under  the  hard- 
ship of  bearing  the  crook,  he  would  do  well  to  con- 
sider what  condition  he  is  as  yet  In,  for  to  bear 
its  removal  in  a  Christian  manner. 

Sixthly^  Discover\^  of  the  latent  corruption,  whe- 
ther in  saints  or  sinners.  There  are  some  corrup  • 
tions  in  every  man's  heart,  which  lie,  as  it  were, 
so  near  the  surface,  that  they  are  ready  on  every 
turn  to  cast  up ;  but  then  there  are  others  also 
which  lie  so  very  deep,  that  they,  are  scarcely  «b- 
served  at  ail.  But  as  the  fire  under  the  pot  makes 
the  scum  to  cast  up,  appear  a-top,  and  run  over  ; 
so  the  crook  in  tfee  lot  raiseth  up  from  the  bottom, 
and  brings  out  such  corruption  as  otherwavs  one 
would  hardly  imagine  to  be  within.  Who  would 
>.ive  suspected  such  strength  of  passion  in  the  meek 
D2 


^i2  TheCiGOK  ill  trie  Lot, 

Moses  as  he  discovered  at  the  waters  of  sti  i:^,  „.id 
for  which  he  was  kept  out  of  Canaan,  Psalm  cvi. 
32,  ^o.  Numb.  XX.  13  ?  So  much  bitterness  of  spi- 
rit in  the  patient  Job,  as  to  charge  God  with  be- 
coming cruel  to  him.  Job  xxx.  21  ?  So  much  ill- 
nature  in  the  good  Jeremiah  ,  as  to  curse  not  only 
the  day  of  his  birth,  but  even  the  man  who  brought 
tidings  of  it  to  his  father,  Jer.  xx.  14,  15?  Or, 
such  atrvvang  of  atheism  in  Asnph,  as  to  pronounce 
religion  a  vain  thing,  Psalm  Ixxiii.  13?  But  the 
crook  y.i  the  lot,  bringing  out  these  things,  shewed 
them  to  have  been  within,  how  long  soever  thev 
had  lurked  unobserved.  And  as  this  design,  how- 
ever indecently  proud  scoffers  allow  themselves  to 
treat  it,  is  in  no  ways  inconsistent  with  the  divine 
perfections  ;  so  the  discover}^  itself  is  necessary 
for  the  due  humiliation  of  sinners,  and  to  stain  the 
pride  of  all  glor\' ,  that  men  may  know  themselves. 
Both  which  appear,  in  that  it  was  on  this  very  de- 
sign that  God  made  the  long-continued  crook  in 
Israel's  lot  in  the  wilderntss  j  even  to  humble 
them  and  prove  them,  to  know  what  was  in  their 
heart,  Deut.  viii.  2. 

Lastluy  The  exercise  of  grace  in  the  cliildren  of 
God.  Believers,  through  the  remains  of  indwel- 
ling corruption,  are  liable  to  fits  of  spiritual  lazi- 
ness and  inactivity,  in  which  their  graces  lie  dor- 
mant for  the  time.  Besides,  there  are  some  gra- 
ce's, which,  of  their  o\^ti  nature,  are  but  occasional 
in  their  exercises ;  as  being  exercised  only  upon 
occasion  of  certain  things  whicli  they  have  a  ne- 
cessary relation  to  ;  such  as  patience  and  long-suf- 
fering. Now,  the  crook  in  the  lot  serves  to  rouse 
Up  a  Christian  to  the  exercise  of  the  graces,  over- 
powered by  corruption,  and  withal  to  call  forth  to 
"action,  the  oecasional  graces,  ministering  proper 


riie  Crook  hi  the  Lot,  4I> 

^vCaSioiis  for  them.  The  truth  is,  the  crook  in  the 
lot  is  the  great  engine  of  Providence  for  making 
men  appear  in  their  true  colours,  discovering  both 
their  ill  and  their  good  ;  and  if  the  grace  of  God 
be  in  them,  it  will  bring  it  out,  and  cause  it  to  dis- 
play itself.  It  so  puts  the  Christian  to  his  shifts.^ 
'hat  however  it  makes  him  stagger  for  a  while,  yet 
;t  will  at  length  evidence  both  the  reality  and  the 
strength  of  gi*ace  in  him.  **  Ye  are  in  heaviness 
"  through  manifold  temptations,  that  the  trial  of 
'' your  faith,  being  much  more  precious^  than  of 
''  gold  that  perisheth,  may  be  found  unto  praise,'' 
1  Pet.  i.'6,  7.  The  crook  in  the  lot  gives  rise  to 
many  acts  of  faith,  hope,  love,  self-denial,  resig- 
nation, and  ether  graces  ;  to  man)^  heavenly  brea- 
things, pantings,  and  groanings,  w^hich  otherways 
would  not  be  brought  forth.  And  I  make  no  ques- 
tion but  tliese  things,  howsoever  by  carnal  men 
despised  as  trifling,  are  more  precious  in  the  sight 
of  God  than  even  believers  themselves  are  aware 
o/,  being  acts  of  immediate  internal  worship  ;  and 
will  have  a  surprising  notice  taken  of  them,  and  of 
the  sum  of  them,  at  long-run,  howbeitthe  persons 
themselves  often  can  hardly  think  them  worth  their 
own  notice  at  all.  We  know  who  hath  said  to  the 
gracious  soul,  "  Let  me  see  thy  countenance  ;  thy 
*^  countenance  is  comely,"  Song  ii.  24.  "  Thou 
"  hast  ravished  my  heart  with  one  of  thine  eyes," 
chap.  iv.  9.  The  steady  acting  of  a  gallant  army  of 
horse  and  foot  to  the  routing  of  the  enemy,  is 
highly  prized ;  but  the  acting  of  holy  fear  and 
humble  hope,  is  in  reality  far  more  valuable,  as  be 
ing  so  in  the  sight  of  God,  whose  judgnient,  we 
^nre  sure,  is  S'^.cording  to  truth  This  the  Psalmist 
teacheth.  Psalm  cxlvii.  11,  12.  "  He  delighteth 
"  not  in  the  strength  of  the  horse  ;  he  taketh  rot 


I  .  7'he  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

"'  pleasure  in  the  legs  of  a  man.   The  Lord  taketh 
**  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  him,  in  those  that  hope 
•  in  his  mercy.''   And  indeed  the  exercise  of  the 
graces  of  his  spirit  in  his  people,  is  so  I'ery  preci- 
ous in  his  sight,  that  whatever  grace  any  of  them 
do  excel  in,  they  will  readily  get  such  a   crook 
made  in  their  lot,  as  will  be  a  special  trial  for  it, 
that  will  make  a  proof  of  its  full  strength.     Abra- 
ham excelled  in  the  grace  of  faith,  in  trusting  God's 
bare   word  of  promise,   over  the  belly  of  sense : 
And  God  giving  him  a   promise,  that  he  xvonld 
nake  of  him  a  ^reat  nation,,  made  withal  a  crook 
n  his  lot,  by  which  he  had  enough  ado  with  all  the 
trength  of  his  faith;   while  he   was  obliged  for 
good  and  all  to  leave  his  country  and  kindred,  and 
sojourn  among  the  Canaanites  ;  his  wife  continu- 
ing barren,  till  past  the  age  of  child-bearing;  and 
when  she  had  at  length  brought  forth  Isaac,  and 
he  was  grown  up,  he  was  called  to  offer  him  up  for 
a   burnt-offering,   the  more  exquisite  trial  of  his 
faith,   that  Ishmael  was  now  expelled  his  family, 
and  that  it  was   declared.  That  in  Laac  only  hi? 
seed  should  be  called^  Gen.  xxi.  12.    *•'  Moses  W43 
'*  very  meek  above  all  the  men  which  were  upon  the 
"  face  of  the  earth,'*  Numb.  xii.  5.     And  he  was 
intrusted  with  the  conduct  of  almost  perverse  and 
unmanageable  people,  the  crook  in  his  lot  plainly 
designed   for  the  exercise  of  his  meekness.      Job 
excelled  in  patience,  and  by  the  crook  in  his  lot, 
he  got  as  much  to  do  with  it.   For  God  gives  none 
ofhis  people  to  excel  in  a  gift,  but  some  one  time  or 
other  he  will  afford  ihem  use  for  the  whole  com- 
pass of  it. 

Now  the  r/5f  of  this  doctrine  is  threefold,  (1.) 
For  reproof.  (2.)  For  consolation.  And.  (3.)  For 
txhortatioHe 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot*  45 

Use  1.  Of  reproof.  And  it  meets  with  three 
iorts  of  persons  as  reprovable. 

Firsts  The  carnal  and  earthhj^  who  do  not  with 
awe  and  reverence  regard  the  crook  in  their  lot  a* 
of  God^s  making.  There  is  certainly  a  signature 
of  the  divine  hand  upon  it  to  be  perceived  by  just 
observ^ers  ;  and  that  challcngeth  an  awful  regard, 
the  neglect  of  which  forbodes  destruction,  Psal. 
xxviii.  5.  '*'  Because  they  regard  not  the  works  of 
"  the  Lord,  nor  the  operation  of  his  hands,  thou 
"  shal.  destroy  them,  and  not  build  them  up."  And 
herein  they  are  deeply  guilt)',  who  poring  upon  se- 
cond causes,  and  looking  no  farther  than  the  un- 
happy instruments  of  the  crook  in  iheir  lot,  over- 
looking the.  first  cause,  as  a  dog  snarles  at  the  stone, 
but  looks  not  to  the  hand  that  casts  it.  This  is,  in 
effect,  to  make  a  God  of  the  creature  ;  so  regarding 
It,  as  if  it  could  of  itself  effectuate  anything,  while, 
in  the  mean  time,  it  is  but  an  instrument  in  the  hand 
of  God,  "  the  rod  of  his  anger,"  Isa.  x.  5.  "  Or- 
"  dained  of  him  for  judgment,  established  for  cor- 
^^rection,"  Hab.  i.  12.  O!  why  should  men  terminate 
their  view  on  the  instruments  of  the  crook  in  tht?ir 
lot,  and  so  magnify  their  scourges  !  The  truth  is, 
they  are,  for  the  most  part,  rather  to  be  pitied,  as 
having  an  undesirable  office,  which,  for  their  grat- 
ifying their  sensuality,  set  themselves  to  despise 
the  crook  in  their  lot,  to  making  nothing  of  it,  and 
to  their  own  corrupt  affections*  in  making  the  crook 
in  the  lot  of  others,  returns  on  their  own  head  at 
length  with  a  vengeance,  as  did  "  the  blood  of  Jez- 
'^  reel  on  the  house  of  Jehu,"  Hos.  i-  4.  And  it  is 
specially  undesirable  to  be  so  employed  in  the  case 
ot  such  05  belong  to  God  ;  for  rarely  is  the  ground 
of  the  quarrel  the  same  on  the  part  of  the  instrument 
IS  on  God's  part,  but  ver\^  different;  witness  Shi- 


4-b  riii:  Crook  m  the  Lot. 

mei's  cursing  David,  as  a  bloody  man,  meaning  the 
blood  of  the  house  ot"  Saul,  which  he  was  not  guil- 
t}'  of,  while  God  meant  it  of  the  blood  of  Uriah, 
which  he  could  not  deny,  2  Sam.  xvi.  7,  8.  More- 
over, the  quarrel  will  be,  at  long-run,  taken  up  be- 
tween God  and  his  people;  and  then  their  scour- 
gers  will  find  they  had  but  a  thankless  office,  Zech. 
i.  15.  "I  was  but  a  little  displeasc*d,  and  they  help- 
*■'  ed  forward  the  affliction,*'  saith  God,  in  resent- 
ment of  the  heathen  crooking  the  lot  of  his  people. 
In  like  manner  are  they  guilty,  who  impute  the 
crook  in  their  lot  to  fortune,  or  their  ill  luck,  which 
in  verj'  deed  is  nothing  but  a  creature  of  imagi- 
nation, framed  for  a  blind  to  keep  men  from  ac- 
knowledging the  hand  of  God.  Thus,  what  the 
Philistines  doubt,  they  do  more  impiously  deter- 
mine, saying,  in  effect,  *'  It  is  not  his  hand  that 
*'  smote  us,  it  was  a  chance  that  happened  us,"  1 
Sam.  vi.  9.  And,  finally,  those  also,  who,  in  the 
way  of  giving  up  themselves  to  carnal  mirth  and 
sensuality,  set  themselvtj*  to  despise  the  crook  in 
their  lot,  to  make  nothing  of  it,  and  to  forget  it.  I 
question  not,  but  one  committing  his  case  to  the 
Lord,  and  looking  to  him  for  remedy  in  the  first 
place,  may  lawfully  call  in  the  moderate  use  of  the 
comforts  of  life,  for  help  in  the  second  place.  But 
as  for  that  course  so  frequent  and  usual  in  this  cast- 
among  carnal  men,  if  the  crook  of  the  lot  really  be, 
as  indeed  it  is,  of  God's  making,  it  must  needs  be 
a  most  indecent  unbecoming  course,  to  be  abhorred 
of  all  good  men,  Prov.  iii.  11.  *'  My  son,  despise 
"  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord."  It  is  surely  a 
very  desperate  method  of  cure,  which  cannot  miss 
of  issuing  in  something  worse  than  the  disease, 
however  it  may  palliate  it  for  a  while,  Isa.  xxii. 
:  2,  14.     "  In  that  day  did  the  Lord  God  of  hosts 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  4 

•  call  to  weeping  and  mourning,  and  behold  joy  and 
•'•  gladness,  eating  flesh  and  drinking  wine  :  And  it 
"  was  revealed  in  mine  ears,  by  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
"  Surely  this  iniquity  shall  not  be  purged  from  you 
''till  ye  die." 

Secondly^  The  unsuhmhsive^  whose  hearts,  like 
the  troubled  sea,  swell  and  boil,  fret  and  murmur, 
and  cannot  be  at  rest  under  the  crook  in  their  lot. 
This  is  a  most  sinful  aud  dangerous  course.  The 
apostle  Jude,  characterising  some,  **  to  whom  is 
*' reserved  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever,"  ver. 
1.  saith  of  them,  ver.  16.  "  These  are  murmurers, 
*'•  complainers,"  name!}',  still  complaining  of  their 
lot,  which  is  the  import  of  the  word  there  used  by 
the  Holy  Ghost.  For,  since  the  crook  in  their  lot, 
which  their  unsubdued  spirits  can  by  no  means  sub- 
mit to,  is  of  God's  making,  this  their  practice  must 
needs  be  a  fighting  against  God  :  and  these  their 
complainings  and  murmurings  are  indeed  against 
him,  whatever  face  they  put  upon  them.  Thu?; 
when  the  Israelites  murmured  against  Moses, 
Numb.  xiv.  2.  God  charges  them  with  murmuring 
against  himself :  "  How  long  shall  I  bear  with  this 
"  evil  congregation,  which  murmured  against  me  V 
ver.  27.  Ah  !  may  not  he  who  made  and  fashioned 
us  without  our  advice,  be  allowed  to  make  our  lot 
too,  without  asking  our  mind,  but  wc  must  rise  up 
against  him  on  account  of  the  crook  made  in  it  c" 
What  doth  this  spt^ak,  but  that  the  proud  creature 
cannot  endure  God's  work,  nor  digest  what  he  hath 
done  ?  And  how  black  and  dangerous  is  that  tem- 
per of  spirit  ?  How  is  it  possible  to  miss  of  being- 
broken  to  pieces  in  such  a  course  ?  '^  He  is  wise  in 
"  heart,  and  mighty  in  strength :  Who  hath  harden- 
"  ed  himself  against  him,  and  hath  prospered:'* 
Job.  ix.  4, 


48  TIlc  CrooK  lit  inv  i^(jX, 

Lastly^  The  careless  and  unfruitful^  ivho  do  not 
set  the iusclvcs  datilally  to  comply  with  the  design 
of  ihe  crook  in  their  lot.   God  and  nature  do  noth- 
ing in  vaiii.     Since  he  makes  the  crook,  there  is, 
\       <:Uss,  a  hecoming  design  in  it,  which  we  arc 
..-•d  in  duty  to  iall  in  with,  according  to  that, 
J\ticah  \  i.  9.    "  Hear  ye  the  rod."     And,  indeed, 
if  oise  ^liut  not  his  own  eyes,  but  be  willing  to  un- 
cle rstand,  he  ma}'  e:vsily  perceive  the  general  design 
thereof  to  be,  to  v/can  him  from  this  world,  and 
move  hinv  to  seek  and  take  up  liis  heart's  rest  in 
God.     And  the  nature,  and  the  circumstances  of 
the  crook  itself  beiiig  duly  considered,  it  will  not 
be  very  hard  to  make  a  more  particular  discover 
of  the  design  thereof.     But,  alas  !  the  careless  si., 
ner,  <ujik  in  spiritual  sloth  and^itupidity,  is  in  no 
concern  to  discover  the  design  of  Providence  in  the 
crook;  so  he  cannot  fall  in  with  it,  but  remains  un- 
fruitful ;  and  all  the  pains  taken  on  him^  by  the 
great  Husbandman,  in  the  dispensation,  are  lost. 
*'  They  cry  out  by  reason  of  the  arm  of  the  migl 
"  ty;"  groaning  under  the  pressure  of  the  crook  i: 
self,  and  weight  of  ihe  hand  of  the  instrument  x\^i\ 
of:  ''*'  But  none  saiih,  Where  is  God  my  maker: 
they  look  17 ot,  :hey  turn  pot  un^o  Gi)d  for  all  th:. 
Job.  xxx\^  9.   10. 

Ui>e  2.  Of  eojuoli  .  It  speaks  comfort  to  xh 
afflicted  children  of  God.  Whatever  is  the  cro(> 
in  your  lot,  it  is  of  God's  making;  and  therefor 
you  may  look  upon  it  kindly.  Since  it  is  your  Fa- 
ther has  made  it  for  you,  question  not  but  tlitre  i;^ 
a  favourable  design  in  it  towards  you.  A  disc  re  l 
child  welcometh  his  father's  rod,  knowing  that  br 
inj<  a  father,  he  seeks  his  benefit  thereby  j  and  sbr. 
rot  fjrod's  children  welcome  the  crook  in  their  1  ;: 
as  desig-cd  by  thfir  Father,  7>'ho  cannot  ini.'-/.;d' 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  49 

his  measures  to  work  for  their  good,  according  to 
the  promise?  The  truth  is,  the  crook  in  the  lot  of 
a  believer,  how  painful  soever  it  proves,  is  a  part 
of  the  discipline  of  the  covenant,  the  nurture  se- 
cured by  the  promise  of  the  Father  t©  Christ's 
children,  Psalm  Ixxxix.  30,  32.  *^  U  his  children 
''  forsake  my  law,  and  walk  not  in  ray  judgments, 
*'  then  ■will  I  visit  theirtransgressions  with  the  rod." 
Furthermore,  all  who  are  disposed  to  betake  them- 
selves to  God  under  the  crook  in  their  lot,  may 
take  comfort  in  this,  let  them  know  that  thtre  is 
no  crook  in  their  lot  but  may  be  made  straight ;  for 
God  made  it,  surely  then  he  ctn  mend  it.  He  him- 
self can  make  straight  what  he  hath  made  crooked, 
though  none  other  can.  There  is  nothing  too  hard 
for  him  to  do  :  ".He  raiseth  up  the  poor  out  of  the 
*'  dust,  and  lifteth  the  needy  out  of  the  dunghill ; 
*'  that  he  may  set  him  with  princes.  He  maketh 
''  the  barren  -vvnoman  to  keep  house,  and  to  be  a  joy- 
*' ful  mother  of  children,"  Psalm  cxiii-  7 — 9.  Say 
not  that  your  crook  hath  been  of  so  long  continu- 
ance, that  it  V,' ill  never  mend.  Put  it  in  the  hand 
of  God,  who  made  it,  that  he  may  mend  it,  ioid 
wait  on  him  :  and  if  it  be  for  thy  good,  that  it  should 
be  mended,  it  shall  be  mended ;  for,  **  no  good  thing 
"  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly," 
Psal.  Ixxxiv.    11. 

Use  last.  Of  exhortation.  Since  the  crook  in  the 
lot  is  of  God^s  making,  then  eyeing  the  hand  of 
God,  in  your's,  be  reconciled  to  it,  and  submit  un- 
der it  whatever  itis  ;  I  say,  eyeing  the  hand  of  God 
init,  for  otherwise  your  submission  under  the  crook 
in  your  lot  cannot  be  a  Christian  submission,  ac- 
ceptable to  God,  having  no  reference  to  him  as  your 
party  in  the  matter. 

E 


50  The  Crook  iji  inc  Lou 

Object.  1.  But  some  will  say,    *  The  crook  in 

*  my   lot  is  from  the  hand  of  the  creature  ;  and 
'  such  a  one  too  as  I  deserved  no  such  trcatmen'* 

*  from.' 

Ans,  From  what  hath  been  already  said,  it  ap- 
pears, that  although  the  crook  in  thy  lot  be  indeed 
immediately  from  the  creature's  hand,  yet  it  \r, 
mediatelv  from  the  hand  of  God  ;  there  being  no- 
thing of  that  kind,  no  penal  evil,  but  the  Lordhatli 
done  it.  Therefore,  without  all  peradventurc,  d- 
himself  is  thy  principal  party,  whoever  be  the  \ 
principal.  And  albeit  thou  hast  not  deserved  th; 
crook  at  the  hand  of  the  instrument  or  instrumeiit? 
whicli  he  makes  use  of  for  thy  correction,  thou 
certainly  deservcst  it  at  his  hand ;  and  he  mav 
make  use  of  what  instrument  he  will  in  the  mat- 
ter, or  may  do  it  immediately  by  himself,  cv  -  -> 
seems  good  in  his  sight. 

Ooject.  2.     '  But   the   crook  in  my  lot  migl; 

*  quickly  be  evened,  if  the  instrument  or  instri; 

*  ments  thereof  pleased  ;  only  there  is  no  d*. ;  : 

*  with  them,  so  as  to  convince  them  of  their  : 
"•  in  making  it.' 

Ans»  If  it  is  so,  be  sure  God's  tia^c  is  not  ar>  v- 
come,  that  that  crook  should  be  evened  ;  for,  if  i- 
were  come,  though  they  stand   now  like  an   iui 
pregnable  foil,  they  would  gi\  e  way   like  a  saiidt 
bank  under  one's  feet:  they  should  *'  bow  du>\ : 
''  to  thee  with  their  face  toward  the  earth,  and  lie' 
'*  up  the  dust  of  thy  feet,"  Isa.  xlix-  23.     Mean 
v/hile,  that  state  of  the  matter  is  so  far  from  justi- 
fying one's   not  eyeing  the  hand  of  God  in  the 
crook  in  the  lot,  that  it  makes  a  piece  of  trial  in 
which  his  hand  very  eminently  appears,  namelv, 
that  men  should  be  sijjnally  injurious  and  burden 
:oomc  to  othf-rs,  yet  l)y  no  meims  susceptiLle  n^ 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  51 

.onviction.  This  was  the  trial  of  the  church  from 
her  adversaries,  Jer.  1.  7.  "  All  that  found  them 
"  have  devoured  them ;  and  their  adversaries  said, 
"  We  ofiend  not,  because  they  have  sinned  against 
*•  the  Lord,  the  habitation  of  justice."  They 
were  very  abusive,  and  gave  her  barbarous  usage  ; 
3-et  would  the}^  take  v/ith  no  fault  in  the  matter. 
How  could  they  ward  off  the  conviction  ?  Were 
they  verily  blameless  in  devouring  the  Lord's 
straying  sheep  ?  No,  surely  ;  they  were  not.  Did 
they  look  upon  themselves  as  ministers  of  the  di- 
vine justice  against  her  ?  No  :  they  did  not. 

Some  indeed  would  make  a  question  here,  How^ 
the  adversaries  of  the  church  could  celebrate  her 
God  as  the  habitation  of  justice?  But  the  original 
pointing  of  the  text  being  retained,  it  appears,  that 
there  is  no  ground  at  all  for  this  question  here,  and 
•^vithal  the  whole  matter  is  set  in  a  clear  light. 
'^  Ail  that  found  them  have  devoured  them  ;  and 
*'  their  adversaries  said.  We  offend  not :  because 
*'  they  have  sinned  against  the  Lord,  the  habitation 
**  of  justice."  These  last  are  not  the  words  of  "ihe 
adversaries,  but  the  words  of  the  prophet,  shewing 
how  it  came  to  pass  that  the  adversaries  devoured 
the  Lord's  sheep,  as  they  lighted  on  them,  and 
withal  stood  to  the  defence  of  it,  when  they  had 
done,  far  from  acknowledging  any  wrong  ;  the 
matter  lay  here,  the  sheep  had  sinned  against  the 
Lord,  the  habitation  of  justice  ;  and,  as  a  just  pun- 
ishment hereof  from  his  hand,  they  could  havx  no 
justice  at  the  hand  of  his  adversaries. 

Wherefore,  laying  aside  these  frivolous  preten- 
^^es,  and  eyeing  the  hand  of  God,  as  that  which 
iiath  bowed  your  lot  in  that  part,  and  keeps  it  in 
the  bow,  be  reconciled  to,  and  submit  under  the 
rrook,    v/hatever  it  is,   saying    from    the   heart 


52  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

"  Truly  this  is  a  grief,  and  I  must  bear  it,'-*  Jer. 
X.  19.   And  to  move  you  hereunto,  consider, 

1.  It  is  a  duty  you  owe  to  God,  as  your  sove- 
reign Lord  and  Benefactor.  His  sovereignty 
challengeth  our  submission  ;  and  it  can  in  no  case 
be  meanness  of  spirit  to  submit  unto  the  crook 
which  his  hand  hath  made  in  our  lot,  and  to  go 
quietly  under  the  yoke  that  he  hath  laid  on  ;  but 
it  is  really  madness  for  the  potsherds  of  the  earth, 
by  their  turbulent  and  refractory  carriage  under  it, 
to  strive  with  their  Maker.  And  his  beneficence 
to  us,  ill'deserving  creatures,  may  well  stop  our 
mouths  from  omr  complaining  of  his  making  a 
crook  in  our  lot,  who  had  done  us  no  wrong  had 
he  made  the  whole  of  it  crooked :  '•*  Shall  we  re- 
*'  ceive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not 
**  receive  eviH"  Job  ii-  10. 

2.  It  is  an  unalterable  statute,  for  the  time  of 
this  life,  that  no  body  shall  zuant  a  crook  in  their 
lot :  for  "  man  is  bom  unto  trouble  as  the  sparks 
**  By  upward,"  Job  v.  7.  And  those  who  are  de- 
signed for  heaven,  are  in  a  special  manner  assured 
of  a  crook  in  their's,  that  ''  in  the  world  they  shall 
**have  tribulation,"  John  xvi.  33  ;  for  by  means 
thereof  the  Lord  makes  them  meet  for  heavcnv 
And  how  can  you  imagine  that  you  shall  be  ex- 
empted from  the  common  lot  of  mankind  ?  Shall 
"  the  rock  be  removed  out  of  his  place  for  thee?*' 
And  since  God  makes  the  crooks  in  men's  lot, 
according  to  th«  different  exigence  of  their  cases, 
you  may  be  sure  that  your's  is  necessary  for  you. 

3.  A  crook  in  the  lot,  which  one  can  by  no 
means  submit  to,  makes  a  condition  of  all  things  the 
likest  to  that  in  hei/.  For  there  a  yoke,  which 
the  wretched  sufferers  can  neither  bare  nor  shake 
off,  is  wrcaUicd  about  their  necks ;  tliere  the  al» 


Th€  Crook  in  the  Let.  5o 

Tuighty  arm  draws  against  them,  and  they  against 
it ;  there  they  are  ever  suffering  and  ever  sinning ; 
still  in  the  furnace,  but  their  dross  not  consumed, 
nor  they  purified.  Even  such  is  the  case  of  those 
who  now  cannot  submit  under  the  crook  in  their 
lot. 

4.  Great  is  the  loss  by  not  submitting  under  it. 
The  crook  in  the  lot,  rightly  improven,  hath  turn- 
ed to  the  best  account,  and  made  the  best  time  to 
some  that  ever  they  had  all  their  life  long,  as  the 
Psalmist  from  his  own  experitmce  testifies,  Psalm 
cxix.  67".  "  Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray ; 
'^  but  now  have  I  kept  thy  word.'*  There  are  ma- 
y\y  now  in  heaven,  w  ho  are  blessing  God  for  the 
<.rook  they  had  in  their  lot  here.  What  a  sad 
thing  must  it  then  be  to  lose  this  teeth-wi»?d  for 
Immanuel's  land  ?  But  if  the  crook  in  thy  lot  do 
thee  no  good,  be  sure  it  will  not  miss  of  doing 
thee  great  damage ;  it  will  hugely  increase  guilt, 
and  aggravate  thy  condemnation,  while  it  shall  for 
ever  cut  to  the  heart,  to  think  of  the  pains  taken 
on  thee,  by  means  of  the  crook  in  the  lot,  to  wean 
thee  from  the  world,  and  bring  thee  to  God,  but 
all  in  vain.  Take  heed,  therefore,  how  you  ma- 
nage it,  "  Lest^-thou  mourn  at  the  last  and 
**  say.  How  have  I  hated  instruction,  and  my 
*'  heart  despised  reproof:"  Prov.  v.  10, 11,  12.. 

DocT.  II.  IVkat  Ggci  sees  meet  to  77iar^  we  tvill  not 
be  able  to  mend  in  our  lot.  What  crook  God 
makes  hi  our  lot,  we  will  not  be  able  to  even' — 
We  shall, 

I.  Shew  God's  marring  and  making  a  crook  in 
dne'/lot,  5is  he  sees  meet. 
E2 


54  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

II.  We  shall  consider  men's  attempting  to  mend 
or  even  that  crook  in  their  lot, 

HI.  In  what  sense  it  is  to  be  understood,  that 
we  will  not  be  able  to  mend,  or  even  the  crook  in 
our  lot. 

IV.  Render  some  reasons  of  the  point. 

I.  As  to  the  first  head,  namely,  Shew  God*S 
marring  and  making  a  crook  in  one's  lot,  as  he 
sees  meet. 

First  God  keeps  the  rAoice  of  every  one's  crook 
to  himself;  and  therein  he  exerts  his  sovereignty. 
Matt.  XX.  15.  It  is  not  left  to  our  option  what 
that  crook  shall  be,  or  what  our  peculiar  burden  ; 
hut  as  the  potter  makes  of  the  same  clay  one  ves^ 
sel  for  one  use,  another  for  another  use ;  so  God 
makes  one  crook  for  one,  another  for  another,  ac- 
cording to  his  own  vrill  and  pleasure,  Psalm  cxxxv- 
(^.  *'  Whatsoever  the  Lord  pleaseth,  that  did  he, 
"  in  heaven  and  in  earth,"  &:c. 

Secondly y  He  sees  and  obsen^es  the  bias  of  every 
one's  will  and  inclination  how  it  lies,  and  wherein 
it  especially  bends  away  from  himself,  and  conse- 
quently wherein  it  needs  the  special  bow  ;  so  he  did 
in  that  man's  case,  Mark  x.  2^  "  One  thing  thou 
"  lackest ;  go  thy  way,  sell  whatsoever  thou  hast^ 
"  and  give  it  to  the  poor,"  &c.  ObsfTve  the  bent 
of  his  heart  to  his  great  poasessious.  He  takes  no- 
tice what  is  that  idol  that  in  every  •ne's  case  is 
most  apt  to  be  his  rival,  that  so  he  may  suit  the 
trial  to  the  case,  making  the  crook  tlure. 

Thirdliu  By  the  conduct  of  his  providence,  or  a 
touch  of  his  hand,  he  gives  that  part  of  one's  lot  a 
bom  the  contrary  way ;  so  that  henceforth  it,-  lies 
quite  contrary  to  that  bias  of  the  party's  will,  Eiek. 
xxiv.  25,     An^  hare  th?  trial  is  made,  the  bc-nt  oi 


The  Crook  m  the  Lot.  5^ 

the  will  lying  one  way,  and  that  part  of  one's  lot 
another,  that  it  does  not  answer  the  inclination  of 
the  party,  but  thwarts  with  it. 

.'  Lastly^  He  wills  that  crook  in  the  lot  to  remain 
while  he  sees  meet,  for  longer  or  shorter  time,  just 
according  to  his  own  holy  ends  he  designs  it  for, 
2  Sam,  xii.  10.  Hos.  v.  15.  By  that  will  it  is  so  fix- 
ed, that  the  whole  creation  cannot  alter  it,  or  pur 
it  out  of  the  bow. 

II.  We  shall  consider  men's  attempting  to  77!end 
or  even  that  crook  in  their  lot.  This,  in  a  word, 
lies  i»  their  making  efforts  to  bring  their  lot  in  that 
point  to  their  own  will,  that  they  may  both  go  one 
way  ;  so  it  imports  three  things  : 

Firsts  A  certain  uneasiness  under  the  crook  in 
the  lot ;  it  is  a  yoke  which  is  hard  for  the  party"  to 
bear,  till  his  spirit  be  tamed  and  subdued,  Jer. 
xxxi.  18.  "  Thou  hast  chastised  me,  and  I  was 
^•'  chastised,  as  a  bullock  unaccustomed  to  the 
^'  yoke:  Turn  thou  me,  and  I  shall  be  turned,'" 
&c.  And  it  is  for  the  breaking  down  of  the  weight 
of  one's  spirit  that  God  lays  it  on;  for  which  cause 
it  is  declared  to  be  a  good  thing  to  bear  it,  Lara, 
iii.  27.  that  being  the  way  to  make  one  at  length 
as  a  weaned  child. 

Secondly^  A  strong  desire  to  have  the  cross  re- 
moved, and  to  have  matters  in  that  part  going  ac- 
cording to  our  inclinations.  This  is  vcr^'  natural-^ 
nature  desiring  to  be  freed  from  eveiy  thing  that 
is  burdensome  or  cross  to  it ;  and  if  that  desire 
be  kept  in  a  due  subordination  to  the  will  of  God, 
and  be  not  too  peremptory,  it  is  not  sinful,  INIatt. 
xxvi.  39.  ''  If  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from. 
*'  me  ;  jtevertlieless,  not  as  I  will,"  &c.  Kence  so 
many  a^epted  prayefS  of  the  people  of  God,  for 
the  removal  of  the  erook  in  their  lot. 


.]6  Th€  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

Lastly y  An  earnest  use  of  mearis  ior  that  end* 
This  natively  follows  on  that  desire.  The  man, 
being  pressed  with  the  cross,  which  is  in  his  crook, 
labours  all  he  can  in  the  use  of  means  to  be  rid  of 
it.  And  if  the  means  used  be  lawful,  and  not  re- 
lied upon,  but  followed  with  an  eye  to  God  in 
them,  the  attempt  is  not  sinful  either,  \vhether  he 
succeed  in  the  use  of  them  or  not. 

III.  In  what  sense  it  is  to  be  understood,  that 
we  will  not  be  able  to  mend,  or  even  the  crook  in 
our  lot. 

Negat'ivehj^  It  is  not  to  be  understood,  as  if  the 
case  were  absolutely  hopeless^  and  that  there  is  no 
remedy  for  the  crook  in  the  lot.  For  there  is  no 
case  so  desperate  but  God  may  right  it,  Gen.  xviii. 
14.  "  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?"  Whea 
the  crook  has  continued  long,  and  spurned  all  re- 
medies one  has  used  fur  it,  one  is  ready  to  lose 
hope  about  it;  but  many  a  crook,  given  over  for 
hopeless  that  would  never  mend,  God  has  made 
perfectly  straight,  as  in  Job's  case. 

But,  Positively^  We  will  never  be  able  to  mend 
it  by  cursehci; ;  if  the  Lord  himself  take  it  not  m 
hand  to  remove  it,  it  will  stand  before  us  im- 
moveable, like  a  mountain  of  brass,  though  per- 
haps it  may  be  in  itself  a  thing  that  might  easily 
be  removed.  We  take  it  up  in  these  three  things : 

1.  It  will  never  do  by  the  mereyi?rc<7of  our  hand, 
1  Sam.  ii,  9. — "  For^  by  strength  shall  n©  man 
*'  prevail. — "  The  most  vigorous  endeavours  we 
can  use  will  not  even  the  crook,  if  God  give  it  not 
a  touch  of  his  hand  ;  so  that  all  endeavours  that 
way,  without  an  eye  to  God,  are  vain  and  fruitless, 
and  will  be  but  plowing  on  the  rock,  Psalittcxxvii- 


The  Crook  hi  the  Lot.  57 

2.  The  use  of  all  allowable  means,  for  it  will  be 
successless  unless  the  Lord  bless  them  for  that  end. 
Lam.  iii,  37*  "  Who  is  he  that  saith,  and  it  com- 
*'eth  to  pass,  vrhen  the  Lord  commandeth  it 
*'not?"  As  one  may  eat,  and  not  be  satisfied,  so 
one  may  use  means  proper  for  evening^  the  crook 
in  the  lot,  and  yet  prevail  nothing ;  for  nothing 
can  be  or  do  for  us  any  more  than  God  makes  it 
to  be  or  do,  EccL  ix.  11.  "The  race  is  not  to  the 
*'  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong ;  neither  yet 
"bread  to  the  wise,  nor  yet  riches  to  men  of  un- 
*'  derstanding,''  Sec. 

3.  It  will  never  do  in  our  ti?nc,  but  in  God*s 
time,  which  seldom  is  so  early  as  ours,  John  vii. 
6, — "  My  time  is  not  yet  come,  but  your  time  is 
*'  always  ready,"  Hence  that  crook  remains  some- 
times immoveable,  as  if  it  were  kept  by  an  invisi- 
ble hand  ;  and  at  another  time  it  goes  away  with 
a  touch,  because  God^s  time  is  come  for  evening 
It. 

IV.  We  shall  now  assign  the  reasons  of  the 
point. 

1^;,  Because  of  the  absolute  dependence  we  havo 
upon  God,  Acts  xvii.  28.  As  the  light  depends  on 
the  sun,  or  the  shadow  on  the  body,  so  we  depend 
on  God,  and  without  him  can  do  nothing  great  or 
small.  And  God  will  have  us  to  find  it  so,  to 
teach  us  our  dependence. 

2^/;/,  Because  his  will  is  irresistible^  Isa.  xlvi. 
10.  "  My  counsel  shall  stand,  and  I  will  do  all  my 
*'  pleasure."  When  God  wills  one  thing,  and  the 
creature  the  contrary,  it  is  easy  to  see  which  will 
must  be  done. — When  the  omnipotent  arm  holds, 
in  vain  does  the  creature  draw,  Job  ix.  4 — "  Who 
*''  hath  hardened  himself  against  him  and  pros- 
"pered?" 


5Q  The  Crook  m  the  Lot, 

Lifercnpel,  There  is  a  77rccwf^y  of  yielding  and 
submitting  under  the  crook  in  our  lot;  for  we 
may  as  well  think  to  remo\  e  the  rocks  and  moun- 
tains, which  God  has  settled,  as  to  make  that  part 
of  our  lot  straight  which  he  hath  made  crooked. 

2.  The  evening  the  crook  in  our  lot,  by  main 
force  of  our  own,  is  but  a  cheat  we  put  on  ourselves, 
and  will  not  last,  but  like  a  stick  by  main  force 
made  straight,  it  will  quickly  return  to  the  bow 
again. 

3.  The  only  habile  way  of  getting  the  crook 
evened  is  to  apply  to  God  for  it. 

Exhortation  I.  Let  us  then  apply  to  God  for  re- 
moving any  crook  in  our  lot,  that  in  the  settled  or- 
der of  things  may  be  removed.  Men  cannot  cease 
to  desire  the  removal  of  the  crook,  more  than  that 
of  a  thorn  in  the  flesh ;  but,  since  vve  are  not  able 
to  mend  what  God  sees  meet  to  mar,  it  is  evident 
wx  are  to  apply  to  him  that  made  it  to  mend  it, 
and  not  take  the  evening  of  it  in  our  own  hand. 

Motive  1.  All  our  attempts  for  its  removal  will> 
without  him,  be  vain  and  fruit  less  ^  Psalm  cxxvii. 
1.  Let  us  be  as  resolute  as  we  will  to  have  it  even- 
ed, if  God  say  it  not,  we  will  labour  in  vain,  Lam- 
iii.  37.  Howsoever  fair  the  njcans  we  use  bid  for 
it,  they  will  be  ineffectual  if  he  command  not  the 
blessing,  Eccl.  ix.  11. 

2.  Such  attempts  will  readily  make  it  worse. 
Nothing  is  more  ordinary,  than  for  a  proud  spirit 
striving  with  the  crook,  to  make  it  more  crooked, 
Eccl.  X.  8.  "Whoso  breaketh  a  hedge,  a  serpent 
'*  shall  bite  him." — ver.  9.  *'  Whoso  removeth 
"stones  shall  be  hurt  therewith,"  &c.  This  is 
evident  in  the  case  of  the  murmurers  iYi  the  wilder- 
ness. It  natively  comes  to  be  so  ;  because,  at  that 
rate,  the  will  of  the  party  bends  fanheraway  from 


The  Cropk  in  the  Lot,  59 

it^  aud  moreover  God  is  provoked  to  wreathe  the 
yoke  the  faster  about  one's  neck,  that  he  will  by  no 
means  let  it  sit  easy  on  him. 

3.  There  is  no  crook  but  what  may  be  remedied 
by  him,  and  made  perfectly  straight,  Psal.  cxlvi. 
8.  *'The  Lord  raiseth  them  that  are  bowed  down," 
&c.  He  can  raise  the  oldest  sit-fast,  concerning 
which  there  remains  no  hope  with  us,  Rom.  iv.  17.' 
*^  Who  quickened  the  dead,  and  calleth  those  things 
**  which  be  not,  as  though  they  were."  It  is  his 
prerogative  to  do  wonders;  to  begin  a  work, 
where  the  whole  creation  gives  it  over  as  hopeless, 
md  carry  it  on  to  perfection.  Gen.  xviii.  14. 

4.  He  loves  to  be  employed  in  evening  crooks, 
and  calls  us  to  employ  him  that  way,  Psal.  1.  15. 
"  Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  I  will 
<'  deliver  thee,"  &c.  He  makes  them  for  that  very 
end,  that  he  may  bring  us  to  him  on  that  errand, 
and  may  manifest  his  power  and  goodness  in  even- 
ing of  them,  Hos.  v.  15.  The  straits  of  the  chil- 
dren of  men  afford  a  large  field  for  displaying  his 
glorious  perfections,  which  otherwise  would  be 
wanting,  Exod.  xv.  11. 

5.  A  crook  thus  got  evened  is  a  double  mercy. 
There  are  some  crooks  evened  by  a  touch  of  the 
hand  of  common  providence,  while  people  are  eith- 
.  r  not  exercised  about  them,  or  when  they  fret  for 
ihcir  removal;  these  are  sapless  mercies,  and 
f,hort  lived,  Psal.  Ixxviii.  30,31 — Hos.  xiii.  11. 
Fruits  thus  too  hastily  plucked  off  the  tree  of  pro- 
vidence can  hardly  miss  to  set  the  teeth  on  edge, 
and  will  certainly  be  bitter  to  the  gracious  soul. 
But  O  the  sweet  of  the  evening  of  the  crbok  got 
by  a  humble  application  to,  and  waiting  on  the 
Lord!  It  has  the  image  and  superscription  of  di- 
vine favour  upon  it.  which  makes  it  bulky  v.rA  val- 


fiO  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

uable,  Gen.  xxxiii.  10. — *'  For  therefore  I  have 
'*  seen  tllj'  face,  as  though  I  had  seen  the  face  of 
"God,'*&c.  Chap.  xxi.  6. 

6.  God  has  signalized  his  favour  to  his  dearest 
rhiUrcn,  in  making  and  mending  notable  crooks 
in  their  lot.  His  darling  ones  ordinarily  have  the 
greatest  crooks  made  in  their  lot,  Heb.  xii.  6. 
But  then  they  make  way  for  their  richest  experi- 
ences in  the  removal  of  them  upon  their  applica- 
tion  to  him.  This  is  clear  from  the  case  of  Abra- 
ham, Jacob,  and  Joseph.  Which  of  the  patriarchs 
liad  so  great  crooks  as  they  ?  bat  which  of  them, 
on  the  other  hand,  had  so  signal  tokens  of  the  divine 
favour  ?  The  greatest  of  men,  as  Samson  [and  the 
Baptist,have  been  born  of  women,  naturally^barren ; 
•JO  do  the  greatest  crooks  issue  in  the  richest  mer- 
cies to  them  that  are  exercised  thereby. 

7.  It  is  the  shortest  and  surest  M'ay  to  go  straight 
to  God  with  the  crook  in  the  lot.  If  we  would 
have  our  wish  in  that  point,  we  must,  as  the  eagle, 
first  soar  aloft,  and  then  come  down  on  the  prey, 
Mark  v.  36.  Our  faithless  out-of-the-way  at- 
tempts to  even  the  crook,  are  our  fool's  haste,  that 
is  no  speed  j  as  in  the  case  of  Abraham's  going  in 
to  Hagar.  God  is  the  first  mover,  who  sets  all 
the  wheels  in  motion  for  evtning  the  crook,  the 
which  without  him  will  remain  immoveable,  Hos. 
ii.  21,22. 

Object.  1.  'But  it  Js  needless,  fori  see,  that 
'though  tlie  crook  in  my  lot  may  mend, yet  I  will 
'  never  mend.  In  its  own  nature  it  is  capable  of 
'being  removed,  but  it  is  plain,  it  is  not  to  be  re- 
'  moved,  it  is  hopeless.' 

Ans,  That  ie  the  language  of  unbelieving  haste, 
which  faith  and  patience  should  correct,  Pr.al.  cxvi. 
11,12.  Abraham  had  as  much  to  b  ly  for  the  hope- 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  61 

iessness  of  his  crook,  but  yet  he  applies  to  God  in 
faith  for  the  mending  of  it,  Rom.  iv.  19,  20.  Sa- 
rah had  made  such  a  conclusion,  for  which  she  was 
rebuked.  Gen.  xviii.  13,  14.  Nothing  can  make 
it  needless  in  such  a  case  to  apply  to  God. 

Object.  2.  '  But  I  have  applied  to  him  again  and 
^  again  for  it,  yet  it  is  never  mended.' 

A71S.  Delays  are  not  denials  of  suits  at'the  court 
of  heaven,  but  trials  of  the  faith  and  patience  of  the 
petitioners.  And  whoso  will  hang  on  v.ill  certain- 
ly come  speed  at  long-run,  Luke  xviii.  7,  8,  31. 
*'  And  shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect,  which 
**'cry  day  and  night  unto  him,  though  he  bear  long 
"  with  them  r"  ver.  8.  "  I  tell  you  that  he  will  a- 
'*  venge  them  speedily."  Sometimes  indeed  folks 
grow  pettish,  in  the  case  of  the  crook  in  the  lot, 
and  let  it  drop  out  in  their  prayers,  in  a  course  of 
despondency,  while  yet  it  continues  uneasy  to  them; 
but,  if  God  mind  to  even  it  in  mercy,  he  will  o- 
blige  them  to  take  it  in  again  into  them,  Ezek. 
xxxvi.  ^7.  "  I  v.iil  yet  for  this  be  inquired  of  bv 
"  the  house  of  Israel,  to  do  it  for  them,'*  8vc.  If 
the  removal  come,  while  it  is  di'opt,  there  will  be 
little  comfort  in  it :  tliough  it  were  never  to  be  re- 
moved while  we  live,  that  should  not  cut  oft^  our 
applying  to  God  for  the  removal ;  for  there  are  ma- 
ny pra}ers  not  to  be  answered  till  we  come  to  the 
other  world,  and  there  all  will  be  answered  at  once, 
Roin.  vii.  24. 


62  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

Directions  for  right  managing  the  application  for 
rcmo'jing  the  crcok  in  the  lot, 

1.  PraijioriX^  Ezek.  xxxvi.  37.  andpray  in  faith, 
believing  that,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  you  shall  cer- 
tainly obtain  at  length,  and  in  this  life  too,  if  it  is 
good  for  you ;  but  without  peradventure  in  the  o- 
ther  life,  Matt.  xxi.  22.  They  will  not  be  disap- 
pointed that  get  the  song  of  Moses  and  of  the  Lamb, 
Rev.  XV.  3.  And,  in  some  cases  of  that  nature, 
extraordinary  prayer,  with  fasting,  is  very  expedi- 
ent, Matt.  xvii.  21. 

2.  /iTwmf^/c  yourselves  under  it,  as  the  yoke  which 
the  sovereign  hand  has  laid  on  you,  Micah  vii,  9. 
"  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because 
*'  I  have  sinned  against  him,"  &c.  Justify  God, 
condemn  yourselves,  kiss  the  rod,  and  go  quietly 
under  it;  this  is  the  most  feasible  way  to  get  rid  of 
it,  James  iv.  10. — When  the  bullock  is  broken  and 
tamed,  as  accustomed  to  the  yoke,  then  it  is  taken 
off,  the  end  being  obtained,  Ps«l.  x.  17.  "  Thou 
'*  wilt  prepare  their  hearts,  thou  wilt  cause  thine 
"  ear  to  hear." 

3.  Wait  on  patiently  till  tjie  hand  that  made  it 
mend  it,  Psal.  xxvii.  14.  Do  not  give  up  the  mat- 
ter as  hopeless,  because  you  are  not  so  soon  relie- 
ved as  you  would ;  "  but  let  patience  have  her  per- 
"  feet  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire, 
*•  wanting  nothing,"  James  i.  4.  Leave  the  timing 
of  the  deliverance  to  the  Lord;  his  time  will  at 
length,  to  conviction,  fippear  the  best,  and  it  will 
not  go  beyond  it,  Isaiah  Ix.  22.  "  I  the  Lord  \nll 
*'  hasten  it  in  his  time  :"  waiting  on  him, you  will 
Hot  be  disappointed.  '*  Yqt  they  shall  not  be  asha- 
*'  med  that  wait  for  me,"  Isaiah  xlix.  23. 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  63 

Exhortation  2.  What  crook  there  is,  that  in  the 
settled  order  of  things,  cannot  be  got  renioved  or 
evened  in  this  world,  let  us  apply  to  God  for  suit- 
able relief  under  it.  For  instance,  the  common 
crook  in  the  lot  of  saints,  viz-  indwelling  sin;  as 
God  has  made  that  crook  not  to  be  removed  here, 
he  can  certainly  balance  it,  and  afford  relief  under 
it.  The  same  is  to  be  said  of  any  crook,  while  it 
remains  unremoved.  In  both  cases  apply  yourself 
to  God,  for  making  up  your  losses  another  way. 
And  there  are  five  things  I  would  have  you  to  keep 
in  view,  and  aim  at  here. 

1.  To  take  God  in  Christ  for,  and  instead  of 
that  thing,  the  with-holding  or  taking  away  of 
which  from  you  makes  the  crook  in  your  lot. 
Psalm  cxlii.  4,  5.  There  is  never  a  crook  God 
makes  in  our  lot,  but  it  is  in  effect  heaven's  offer 
of  a  blest  exchange  to  us  ;  Such  as  Mark  x.  21. 
**  Sell  whatsoever  thou  hast,  and  thou  shalt  have 
**  treasure  in  heaven."  In  managing  of  which  ex- 
change, God  first  puts  out  his  hand,  and  takes  away 
some  earthly  thing  from  us :  and  it  is  expected 
we  put  out  our  hand  next,  and  take  some  heaven- 
ly thing  from  him  in  the  stead  of  it,  and  parti- 
cularly, his  Christ. — Wherefore,  has  God  emptied 
your  left-hand  of  such  and  such  an  earthly  com- 
fort? Stretch  out  your  right-hand  to  God  in  Christ, 
take  him  in  the  room  of  it,  and  welcome.  There- 
fore the  soul's  closing  with  Christ  is  called  buy- 
ing, M'herein  parting  with  one  thing,  we  get  ano- 
ther in  its  stead.  Matt.  xiii.  45.  "  The  kingdom 
**  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  merchant-man  seeking 
**  goodly  pearls:"  ver.  46.  "who,  when  he  had 
**  found  one  pearl  of  great  price,  he  went  and  sold 
*'  all  that  he  had  and  bought  it."  Do  this,  and 
you  will  be  more  than  even  hands  \yith  the  crook 
in  your  lot? 


64  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

2.  Look  for  the  streams  running  as  full  ffoni 
him  as  ever  it  did  or  could  run,  when  the  crook 
of  the  lot  has  dried  it  This  is  the  work  of  faith, 
confidently  to  hang  on  for  that  from  God  which  is 
denied  us  from  the  creature.  "  When  my  father 
"  and  mother  forsake  me,  then  the  Lord  will  take 
"  me  up,"  Psalm  xxvii.  10.  This  is  a  most  ra- 
tional expectation :  for  it  is  certain,  there  is  no 
good  in  the  creature  but  what  is  from  God :  there- 
fore there  is  no  good  to  be  found  in  the  creature, 
the  stream,  but  what  may  be  got  immediately  from 
God,  the  fountain.  And  O  !  but  it  is  a  welcome 
plea,  to  come  to  God  and  say,  Now,  Lord,  thou 
hast  taken  away  from  me  such  a  creature-comfort, 
I  must  have  as  good  from  thyself. 

3.  The  spiritual  fruits  of  the  crook  in  the  lot, 
Heb.  xii.  11.  We  see  the  way  in  the  world  is,  when 
one  trade  fails,  to  fall  on  and  drive  another  trade ; 
so  should  we,  when  there  is  a  crook  in  the  lot, 
making  our  earthly  comforts  low,  set  ourselves  the 
more  for  spiritual  attainments.  If  our  tirade 
with  the  world  sinks,  let  us  sec  to  drive  a  trade  with, 
heaven  more  vigorously  ;  see  if,  by  means  of  the 
crook,  we  can  reach  more  feith,  love,  heavenly- 
mindedness,  contempt  of  the  world,  humility,  sell 
denial,  &c.  2  Cor.  vi.  10.  So,  while  we  lose  atone 
hand,  we  will  gain  at  another. 

4.  Grace  to  carry  us  up  under  the  cro^k,  2  Cor. 
xii.  8.  "  For  this  thing  I  besought  the  Lord 
"  thrice ;  ver.  9.  And  he  said,  My  grace  is  suffi- 
''  cient  for  thee.'*  Whether  a  man  be  faint,  and 
have  a  light  burden,  or  be  refreshed,  and  strength- 
ened, and  have  a  heavy  one,  it  is  all  a  case ;  the 
latter  can  go  as  easy  under  his  burden,  as  the  for- 
mer under  his.  Grace  proportioned  to  the  trial  is 
what  we  should  aim  at;  getting  that,  though  the 
crook  be  not  evened,  we  are  even  hands  with  itk 


The  Crook  in  the  LoU  65 

5.  The  keeping  in  our  eye  the  eternal  rest  and 
xueight  of  glory  in  the  other  world,  2  Cor.  iv.  17, 
18.  "  For  our  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a 
*' moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding 
"and  eternal  weight  of  glor}^ ;  while  we  look  not 
"  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things  that 
''  are  not  seen."  This  will  balance  the  crook  in  your 
lot,  be  it  what  it  will ;  while  they  who  have  no  well 
grounded  hope  of  salvation,  will  find  the  crook  in 
their  lot  in  this  world  such  a  weight,  as  they  have 
nothing  to  counter-balance  it :  yet  the  hope  of  eter- 
nal rest  may  bear  up  under  all  the  toil  and  trouble 
met  with  here. 

Exhortation  3.  Let  us  then  set  ourselves  right- 
ly to  bear  and  carry  under  the  crook  in  our  lot, 
while  God  sees  meet  to  continue  it.  What  we  can- 
not mend,  let  us  bear  christianly,  and  not  fight  a- 
gainst  God,  and  so  kick  against  the  pricks.  So  let 
us  bear  it 

1.  PatieJitly^  without  firing,  and  fretting,  or  mur- 
muring, James  v.  7.  Psalm  xxxvii.  7.  Though  we 
lose  our  comfort  in  the  creature,  through  the  crook 
in  our  lot,  let  us  not  lose  the  possession  of  our- 
selves, Luke  xxi.  19.  The  crook  in  our  lot  makes 
us  like  one  who  has  but  a  scanty  cold-rife  fire  to 
warm  at:  but  impatience  under  it  scatters  it  so  as 
to  set  the  house  on  fire  about  us,  and  exposeth  us, 
Prov.  XXV.  28.  "  He  that  hath  no  rule  over  his  own 
*'  spirit,  is  like  a  city  that  is  broken  down  and 
**  without  walls." 

2.  With  Christian  fortitude^  without  sinking  un- 
der discouragement — "  nor  faint  w  hen  thou  art  re- 
"  buked  of  him,"  Heb.  xii.  5.  Satan's  work  is  by 
the  crook,  either  to  bend  or  break  people's  spirits, 
and  oftentimes  by  bending  to  break  them:  our 

F  2 


C",  The  Crook  hi  the  Lot. 

work  is  to  carry  evenly  under  it,  steering  a  middle 
course,  guarding  against  splitting  on  the  rocks  on 
either  hand.  Our  happiness  lies  not  in  any  earthly 
comfort,  nor  will  the  want  of  any  of  them  render 
us  miserable.  Hub.  iii.  17,  18.  So  that  we  arc  re- 
solutely to  hold  on  our  way,  with  a  holy  contempt, 
and  regardlessness  of  the  hardships,  Job  xvii.  9. 
"  The  righteous  also  shall  hold  on  his  way,  and  he 
''  that  hath  clean  hands  shall  be  stronger  and 
"  stronger.'* 

ix^iest.  *'  When  is  one  to  be  reckoned  to  fall  un- 
*'  der  sinking  discouragement  from  the  crook  in 
"his  lot?" 

Alls.  When  it  prevails  so  far  as  to  unfit  for  the 
duties,  either  of  our  particular  or  Christian  calling. 
We  may  be  sure  it  has  carried  us  beyond  the  bounds 
of  moderate  grief,  when  it  unfits  us  for  the  com- 
mon affairs  of  life  which  the  Lord  calls  us  to  man- 
age, 1  .Qor.  vii.  24-.  It  is  recorded  to  the  commen- 
dation of  Abraham,  Gen.  xxiii.  3,  4.  Or  for  the 
duties  of  religion,  hindering  them  altogether,  1 

Pet.  iii.  7 '*"  That  your  prayers  be  not  hindered, 

*'  (Gi9»eek,  cut  off,  or  up,  like  a  tree  from  the  roots,") 
or  making  one  quite  hopeless  in  them,  Mai.  ii.  to. 

3.  Projitahbj^  so  as  we  may  gain  some  advantage 
therebv,  Psal.  cxix»  71.  '"  It  js  good  for  me  that  I 
'^have  been  afHicted  that  I  mignt  learn  thy  statutes." 
There  is  an  advantage  to  be  made  thereby,  Rom. 
V.  3,  4,  5.  And  -it  is  certainly  an  ill-managed 
crook  in  our  lot  when  we  get  not  some  spiritual 
goodofit,  Heb.  xi.  21.  The  crook  is  a  kind  of  spi- 
ritual medicine;  and  as  it  is  lost  physic  that  purges 
away  no  ill  humours,  but  in  vain  are  its  unpleasant- 
ness to  the  taste,  and  its  grij)ings  endured  ;  so  it  is 
a  lost  crook,  and  ill  is  the  bitterness  of  it  wared, 
that  wc  arc  net  bettered  by,  Isa.  xxyii'  9.     "  Bv 


The  Crook  in  tjte  LoU  m 

*'  this,  therefore,  shall  the  iniquity  of  Jacob  be 
"  purged,  and  this  is  all  the  fruit,  to  take  a\Tay  his 
"  sin." 

Motives  to  press  this  exhortation.     Consider^ 

1.  There  will  be  no  evening  of  it  while  God  sQi:s 
meet  to  continue  it.  Let  us  carry  under  it  as  we 
will,  and  make  what  sallies  we  please  in  the  case, 
it  will  continue  immoveable,  as  fi^ed  with  bands 
of  iron  and  brass,  job  xxii.  13,  14.  "  But  he  is 
"  of  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him  ?  And  what 
•^  his  soul  desireth,  even  that  he  doth.  Verse  14. 
''  For  he  performeth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for 
*'  me  :  and  many  such  things  are  with  him."  Is  it 
not  wisdom  then  to  make  the  best  we  may  of  wh?t 
we  cannot  mend  ?  Make  a  virtue  then  of  necessity. 
What  is  not  to  be  cured  must  be  endured,  and 
should  with  a  Christian  resignation. 

2.  An  aukward  carriage  under  it  notably  in- 
creases thQ  pain  of  it.  "What  makes  the  yoke  gall 
our  necks,  but  that  we  struggle  so  much  against  it^ 
and  cannot  let  it  sit  at  ease  on  us,  Jer.  xxxi.  18. 
How  often  are  we  in  that  case,  like  men  dashing 
their  heads  against  a  rock  to  remove  it?  The  rock 
stands  unmoved,  but  they  are  wounded  and  lose 
exceedingly  by  their  struggle.  Impatience  under 
the  crook  lays  an  over-weight  on  the  burden,  and 
makes  it  heavier,  while  vriilial  it  weakens  us,  and 
makes  us  less  able  to  bear  it. 

o.  The  crook  in  thy  lot  is  the  special  trial 
God  has  chosen  out  for  thee  to  take  thy  mea- 
sure by,  1  Pet.  i.  6,  7.  It  is  God's  fire,  where- 
by he  tries  what  metal  men  are  of;  heaven's 
touch-stone  for  discovering  of  true  and  counterfeir 
Christians.  They  may  bear,  and  go  through  se- 
veral trials,  Vvhich  the  crook  in  the  lot  will  disco- 
or  to  be  naught,  because   by  no  means  they  can 


68  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

bear  that,  Mark  x.  21,  22.  Think  then  with  thy- 
self under  it,  Now  here  the  trial  of  my  state  turns, 
I  must  by  this  be  proven  either  sincere  or  a  hypo- 
crite ;  for,  can  any  be  a  cordial  subject  of  Christ, 
without  being  able  to  submit  his  lot  to  him  ?  Do 
not  all  who  sincerely  come  to  Christ,  put  a  blank  in 
his  hand  ?  Acts  ix.  6.  Psal.  xlvii.  4.  And  does  he 
not  tell  us,  that  without  that  disposition  we  are  not 
his  disciples,  Luke  xiv.  26.  "  If  any  man  come  to 
*'me,  and  hate  not  his  father,  and  mother,  and 
*'  wife,  and  children,  and  brethren,  and  sisters  ; 
•'yea,  and  his  own  life  also,  he  cannot  be  my  dis- 
**  ciple."  Perhaps  you  find  you  submit  to  any  thing 
but  that;  but  will  not  that  but  mar  all?  Mark  x. 
21.  Did  ever  any  hear  of  a  sincere  closing  with 
Christ,  with  a  reserve  or  exception  of  one  thing, 
wherein  they  behoved  to  be  their  own  lords  ? 

^lest.  *•  Is  that  disposition  then  a  qualification 
'  necessarily  pre-required  to  our  believing :  And  if 
'so,  where  must  we  have  it?  Can  we  work  it  out 

*  of  our  natural  powers  :' 

Ans,  No,  it  is  not  so  ;  but  it  necessarily  accom- 
panies and  goes  along  with  believing,  flowing  from 
the  same  saving  illumination  in  the  knowledge  of 
Christ,  whereby  the  soul  is  brought  to  believe  on 
him.  Hereby  the  soul  sees^him  an  able  Saviour, 
50  trusts  on  him  for  salvation  ;  the  rightful  Lord, 
and  infinitely  wise  Ruler,  and  so  submits  the  lot  to 
him.  Matt.  xiii.  45,  46.  The  soul  taking  him  for 
a  Saviour,  takes  him  also  for  a  Head  and  Ruler. 
It  is  Christ's  giving  himself  to  us,  and  our  receiv- 
ing him,  that  causes  us  quit  other  things  to  and  for 
him,  as  it  is  the  light  dispels  the  darkness. 

Ca'^e.  *"Alas!  I  cannot  get  ihy  heart  freely  to 

*  submit  my  lot  to  him  in  that  point.' 


The  Crock  m  the  Lot,  69 

Ans,  1.  That  submission  will  not  be  carried  on. 
in  any  without  ^stnig'gce;  the  old  man  will  never 
submit  it,  and  when  the  new  man  of  grace  is  sub- 
znittirig  it,  the  old  man  will  still  be  reclaiming,  Gal- 
V.  17,  *'  For  the  flesh  kisteth  against  the  spirit,  and 
*'  the  spirit  against  the  flesh.  And  these  are  con- 
**  trary  the  one  to  the  other ;  so  that  ye  cannot  da 
"  the  things  that  ye  would,"  but  are  sincerely  de- 
sirous and  habitually  aiming  to  submit  it.  Do  ye, 
from  the  ungracious  struggle  against  the  crook^ 
turn  away  to  the  struggle  with  your  own  heart 
to  bring  it  to  submit,  believing  the  promise,  and 
using  the  means  for  it,  being  grieved  from  the 
heart  with  yourselves,  that  ye  cannot  submit  it  ^ 
This  is  submitting  of  your  lot,  in  the  favourable 
construction  of  the  gospel,  Rom.  vii.  17 — 20.  2 
Cor.  viii.  12.  If  ye  had  your  choice,  would  ye 
rather  have  your  heart  brought  to  submit  to  the 
crook,  than  the  crook  evened  to  your  heart's  de- 
sire? Kom.  vii.  22,  23.  And,  do  ye  not  sincere- 
ly endeavour  to  submit  it  over  the  belly  of  the  re- 
luctancy  of  flesh  ?  Gal.  v.  1 7. 

2.  Where  is  the  Christian  sflf-deiiial^  and  taking 
up  of  the  cross^  without  submitting  to  the  crook? 

•  This  is  the  first  lesson  Christ  puts  in  the  hands  of 
his  disciples.  Matt.  xvi.  24.  "  If  any  man  v/ill 
"  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up 
"his  cross,  and  follow  me."  Self  denial  would 
procure  a  reconciliation  with  the  crook,  and  an  ad- 
mittance of  the  cross :  but  while  we  cannot  bear 
our  corrupt  self  to  be  denied  any  of  its  cravings^ 
and  particularly  that  which  God  sees  meet  espe- 
cially to  be  denied  in,  we  cannot  bear  the  crook  ia 
our  lot,  but  fight  against  it,  in  favour  of  self. 

3.  Where  is  our  conformitij  to  Christ,  while  we 
cannot  submit  to  the  crook  ?  We  cannot  evidence 


70  The  Crack  in  the  Lot. 

ourselves  Christians  without  conformity  to  Christ. 
**  He  that  saith  he  abideth  in  him,  ought  himselt 
*^also  to  walk  even  as  he  walked,"  1  John  ii.  6. 
There  was  a  continued  crook  in  Christ's  lot,  but 
he  submitted  to  it,  Phil.  ii.  8.  '^  And  being  found 
*'  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  and 
**  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
*'the  cross,"  Rom.  xv.  3.  For  even  Chrit  pleased 
V'Ot  himself^  &c.  And  so  must  we,  if  we  will  prove 
ourselves  Christians  indeed,  Matt.  xi.  29.  2  Tim. 
ii.  11,  12. 

4.  How  will  we  prove  ourselves  the  genuine 
kindly  children  of  God,  if  still  warring  with  the 
crook?  We  cannot  pray.  Our  father^ — TAi/  -will  be 
dene  on  earthy  &c.  Matt.  vi.  Nay,  the  language 
of  that  practice  is,  we  must  have  our  own  will,  and 
God's  will  cannot  satisfy  us. 

Motive  4.  The  trial  by  the  crook  here  will  not 
last  long,  1  Cor.  viii.  31.  What  though  the  work 
be  sore,  it  may  be  the  better  comported  with,  that 
It  will  not  be  longsome  ;  a  few  days  or  years  at  far- 
thest will  put  an  end  to  it,  and  take  you  off  your 
trials.  Do  not  say,  I  will  never  be  eased  of  it ; 
for  if  ye  be  not  eased  before,  ye  will  be  eased  s>i  it 
at  death,  come  in  the  room  of  it  after  what  will.  A 
serious  view  of  death  and  etemit}',  might  make 
fiB  to  set  ourselves  to  carry  lightly  under  our  crook 
•while  it  lasteth. 

5.  If  ye  would,  in  a  Christian  manner,  set  your- 
selves to  bear  the  crook  ye  would  find  it  easier 
than  ye  imagine.  Matt.  xi.  29,  30.  **•  Take  my 
**yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me — and  ye  shall 
*'  find  rest  to  your  souls."  ver.  30.  "  For  my  yoke 
*'  is  easy,  and  my  burden  is  light."  Satan  has  no 
readier  way  to  gain  his  purpose,  than  to  persuade 
men  it  is  impossible  that  ever  their  minds  should 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  ft 

ply  with  the  crook  ;  that  it  is  a  burden  to  them  al« 
together  insupportable ;  as  long  as  you  believe  that> 
be  sure  ye  will  never  be  able  to  bear  it.  But  the 
Lord  makes  no  crook  in  the  lot  of  any,  but  what 
may  be  so  borne  of  them  acceptably,  though  not 
sinlessly  and  perfectly,  Mat.  xi.  30.  For  there  is 
strength  for  that  effect  secured  in  the  covenant,  2 
Cor.  iii.  5,  Phil.  iv.  13.  and  being  by  faith  fetch- 
ed, it  will  certainly  come,  Psalm  xxviii.  7. 

6.  If  ye  carry  Christianly  under  your  crook 
here,  ye  will  not  lose  your  labour,  but  get  a  full 
reward  of  grace  in  the  other  world,  through 
Christ,  3  Tiai.  ii.  12.  1  Cor.  xv.  58.  There  is  a 
blessing  pronounced  on  him  that  endureth  on  this 
very  ground,  James  i.  12.  "Blessed  is  the  man 
*"* that  endureth  temptation;  for,  when  he  is  tried 
"he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life  which  the  Lord 
"hath  pomised  to  them  that  love  him."  Heaven 
is  the  place  into  which  the  approven,  upon  the  trial 
of  the  crook,  are  received,  Kev.  vii.  14.  "  These 
"  are  they  which  cameoutof  great  tribulation,  and 
"  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white 
**  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb."  When  we  come 
there,  no  vestiges  of  it  will  be  remaining  in  your 
lot,  nor  will  ye  have  theleast  uneasy  remembrance 
of  it;  but  it  will  accent  your  praises,  and  screw  up 
your  joy. 

7.  If  you  do  not  carry  Christianly  under  it,  ye 
will  lose  your  souls  in  the  other  world,  Jude,  ver. 
15, 16.  Those  who  are  at  war  with  God  in  their  lot 
here,  God  will  have  war  with  them  for  ever.  If 
they  will  not  submit  to  his  yoke  here,  and  go  qui- 
etly under  it,  he  will  wreathe  his  j^oke  about  their 
neck  for  ever,  with  everlasting  bonds  that  shaH 
never  be  loQsed,  Job  ix.  4. 


7Z  The  Crook  in  the  Lit, 

Lastlify  Whatever  crook  is  in  the  lot  of  any,  ii  u> 
ver}-  likely  there  is  a  public  crook  abiding  the  gen- 
eration, that  will  be  more  trying.  This  is  a  da\- 
of  sinning,  beyond  the  days  of  our  fathers  ;  a  dav 
wherein  God  is  making  great  crooks  in  the  lot  ut 
the  dearest  to  himself;  but  these  seem  to  prcsagc- 
stich  a  general  public  cruok  to  be  abiding  the  gen 
oration,  as  will  make  our  now  private  ones  of  ver) 
little  weight,  \  Pet.  iv.  17,18.  Therefore,  set 
yourselves  to  carry  rightly  under  the  crook  in  your 
lot. 

If  you  ask  what  way  one  may  reach  that ;  for 
direction  we  propose, 

DocT.  III.  The  considering'  the  crook  in  the  lot, 
as  the  work  ofGod^  is  a  proper  means  tobrini; 
one  to  carry  rightly  under  it, 

I.  What  it  is  to  consider  the  crook  as  the  -wor/: 
of  God,  we  take  it  up  in  these  five  things. 

Firsts  An  enquiry  into  the  spring  whence  it  ri- 
seth,  Gen.  xxv.  22.  Reafon  and  religion  both 
teach  us,  not  only  to  notice  the  crook,  which  we 
cannot  avoid,  but  to  consider  and  enquire  into 
the  spring  of  it.  Surely,  it  it  not  our  choice,  nor 
do  we  designedly  make  it  for  ourselves:  and  to 
ascribe  it  to  fortune  is  to  asCribe  it  to  nothing ;  it 
is  not  sprung  of  itself,  but  sown  by  one  hand  or 
another  for  us,  Job  v.  6.  And  we  are  to  notice 
the  hand  from  whence  it  conies. 

Secondly^  A  perceiving  of  the  ha7ido£  God  in  It. 
Whatever  hand  any  creature  hath  therein,  wc 
ought  not  to  terminate  our  view  in  them,  but  look 
above  and  beyond  them  to  the  supreme  managers 
agency  therein.  Job  i,  21.  Without  this  we  make 
a  god  of  the  creature  instrumental  of  the  crook. 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot*  7Z 

looking  on  it  as  if  it  were  the  first  cause,  which  is 
peculiar  to  God,  Rom.  xi.  36.  and  bring  ourselves 
under  that  doom.  Psalm  xxvili.  5.  '*  Because 
*'  they  regard  not  the  works  of  the  Lord,  nor  the 
'"  operation  of  his  hands,  he  shall  destroy  them, 
''  and  not  build  them  up." 

Thirdly-)  A  representing  it  to  ounelves  as  a  \Tork 
of  God,  which  he  hath  wrought  against  us  for  ho- 
ly and  wise  ends,  becoming  the  divine  perfections. 
This  is  to  take  it  by  the  right  handle,  to  represent 
it  to  ourselves  under  a  right  notion,  from  whence 
a  right  management  under  it  may  spring.  It  can 
never  be  safe  to  overlook  God  in  it,  but  very  safe 
to  overlook  the  creature,  ascribing  it  unto  God, 
as  if  no  other  hand  were  in  it,  his  being  always 
the  principal  therein.  *'  Ii  is  the  Lord,  let  him 
"do  what  seemeth  him  good,'*  1  Sana.  iii.  18. 
Thus  David  overlooked  Shemei,  and  looked  to 
God  in  the  matter  of  his  cursing,  as  one  would  the 
as,  fixing  his  eye  on  him  that  wielded  it.  Here 
two  things  are  to  come  into  consideration: 

1^^,  The  decree  of  God  purposing  that  crook 
for  us  from  eternity ;  *'  for  he  worketh  all  things 
"  by  the  counsel  of  his  own  will,"  Eph.  i.  11.  the 
sealed  book  in  which  are  written  all  the  black  lines 
that  make  the  crook.  Whatever  valley  of  dark- 
ness, grief,  and  sorrow  we  are  carried  through, 
we  are  to  look  on  them  as  made  by  the  mountains 
of  brass,  the  immoveable  divine  purposes,  Zech, 
vi.  1.  This  can  be  no  presumption  in  that  case, 
if  we  carry  it  no  f^.rther  than  the  event  goes  in  our 
sight  and  feeling;  for  so  far  the  book  i^  opaied 
for  us  to  look  into. 

2^/y,  The  providence  of  God  bringing  to  pass 
that  crook  for  v^s  in  time,  Amos  iii,  6.  There  i^ 

G 


74  Trie  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

nothing  can  bcfal  us  without  him  in  whom  we  hve# 
Whatever  kind  of  agency  of  the  creatures,  may  be 
in  the  making  of  our  crook,  whatever  they  have 
done  or  not  done  towards  it,  he  is  the  spring  that  sets 
all  the  created  wheels  in  motion,  which  ceasing 
they  would  all  stop ;  though  he  is  still  infinitely 
pure  in  his  agency,  however  impure  they  be  in 
theirs.  Job  considered  both  these,  chap,  xxiii. 
14. 

Fourthly^  A  continuing  in  the  thought  of  it  as 
such.  It  is  not  a  simple  glance  of  the  eye,  but  a 
contemplating  and  leisurely  viewing  of  it  as  his 
work,  that  is  the  proper  mean.     We  are  to  be, 

1st,  Habitually  impressed  with  this  considera- 
tion :  as  the  crook  is  some  lasting  grievance,  so  the 
consideration  of  this  as  the  remedy  should  be  ha- 
bitually kept  up.  There  arc  other  considerations 
besides  this  that  we  must  entertain,  so  that  we 
cimnot  alwa}  s  have  it  expressly  in  our  mind :  but 
we  must  lay  it  down  for  a  rooted  principle,  accord- 
ing to  which  we  are  to  manage  the  crook,  and 
keep  the  heart  in  a  disposition,  v/hereby  it  mav 
slip  into  our  minds,  as  occasion  calls  expressly. 

2dlij,  Occasionally  exercised  in  it.  Whenever 
we  begin  to  feel  the  smart  of  the  crook,  \ft  shouid 
fetch  in  this  remedy;  when  the  yoke  begins  to 
gall  the  neck,  there  should  be  an  application  of 
this  spiritual  ointment.  And  however  often  the 
former  comes  in  on  us,  it  will  be  our  wisdom  to 
fetch  in  the  latter  as  the  proper  remedy  ;  the  oft- 
cner  it  is  used,  it  will  more  easily  come  to  hand, 
Jind  also  be  the  more  effectuaL 

Fifihlrj^  A  considering  it  for  the  end  for  which 
it  is  proposed  to  us,  rzz.  to  briag  to  a  dutiful  car- 
riage under  it.   Men's  corruptions  will  cause  ther 
to  enter  on  this  consideration :  ^nd  as  is  the  nrii 


Ihe  Crsok  in  the  Lot,  75 

cipie^  so  will  the  end  and  effect  of  it  be  corrupt,  2 
Kings  vi.  33.  But  we  must  enter  on,  and  use  it 
for  a  good  end,  if  we  would  have  good  of  it,  tak- 
ing it  as  a  practical  consideration  for  regulating 
our  conduct  under  the  crook. 

II.  How  it  is  to  be  understood  to  be  a  proper 
means  to  bring  one  to  carry  rightly  under  the 
crook. 

1.  Negatively;  Not  as  if  it  v/ere  sufficient  of 
itself,  and  as  it  stands  alone,  to  produce  that  ef- 
feet.     But, 

2.  Positively;  As  it  is  used  in  faith,  in  the  faith 
of  the  gospel ;  that  is  to  say,  A  sinner's  bare  con- 
sidering the  crook  in  his  lot  as  the  work  of  God, 
without  any  saving  relation  to  him,  will  never  be 
a  way  to  carry  rightly  under  it ;  but  having  believ- 
ed in  Jesus  Christ,  and  so  the  crook  as  the  work 
of  God,  his  God,  is  the  proper  means  to  bring  him 
to  that  desirable  temper  and  behaviour.  Many 
hearers  mistake  here.  When  they  hear  such  and 
such  law-considerations  proposed  for  bringing 
them  to  duty,  they  presently  imagine,  that  by  the 
mere  force  of  them,  they  may  gain  the  point.  And 
many  preachers  too,  who,  forgetting  Christ  and 
the  gospel,  pretend  by  the  force  of  reason  to  make 
men  Christians :  the  eyes  of  both  being  held,  that 
they  do  not  see  the  corruption  of  men's  nature, 
which  is  such  as  sets  the  true  cure  above  the  force 
of  reason ;  all  that  they  are  sensible  of,  being  some 
ill  habits,  which  they  think  may  be  shaken  off  by 
a  vigorous  application  of  their  rational  faculties. 
To  clear  this  matter,  consider^ 

Firsts  Is  it  rational  to  think  to  set  fallen  man, 
with  his  corrupt  nature,  to  work  the  same  way 
with  innocent  Adam  ?  That  is  to  set  begg«r6  on  a 


^6  The  Crook  in  the  Lot* 

level  with  the  rich,  lame  men  to  a  journey  with 
them  that  have  limbs.  Innocent  Adam  had  a 
stock  of  gracious  abilities,  whereby  he  might  have, 
by  the  force  of  moral  considerations,  brought  him- 
self to  perform  duty  aright.  But  where  is  that 
with  us  t  2  Cor.  iii.  5.  Whatever  force  be  in  them 
to  a  soul  endowed  with  spiritual  life,  what  force  is 
in  them,  to  raise  the  dead,  such  as  we  are  ?  Eph. 
ii.  1. 

SeQondlyy  The  scripture  is  very  plain  on  this 
head,  shewing  the  indispensible  necessity'  of  faith, 
Heb.  xi. — And  that  such  as  unites  to  Christ,  John 
XV.  5.  "  Without  me,"  that  is,  separate  from  mtf, 
**  ye  can  do  nothing ;"  no  not,  with  all  the  moral 
considerations  ye  can  use.  How  were  the  ten 
commandments  given  on  Mount  Sinai  ?  not  bare 
exactions  of  duty,  but  fronted  with  the  gospel,  to 
be  believed  in  the  first  place.  "  I  am  the  Lord  thy 
^'  God,"  &c.  And  so  Solomon,  whom  many  do  re- 
gard rather  as  a  moral  philosopher,  than  an  inspi- 
red writer  leading  to  Christ,  fronts  his  writingSi 
in  the  beginning  of  the  Proverbs,  with  most  ex- 
press gospel.  And  we  must  have  it  expressly  re- 
peated in  our  Bibles  with  every  moral  precept,  or 
else  shut  our  eyes,  and  take  these  precepts  without 
it ;  that  is  the  effect  of  jpur  natural  enmity  to 
Christ.  If  we  loved  him  more,  we  would  set  him 
more  in  every  page,  and  in  txtry  command,  re- 
ceiving the  law  at  his  mouth. 

Thirdly^  Do  but  consider  what  it  is  to  carry 
Tightly  under  the  crook  in  the  lot,  what  humilia- 
tion of  soul,  self-denial,  and  absolute  resignation 
to  the  will  of  God,  must  be  in  it  ^  what  love  to 
God  it  must  proceed  from  ;  how  regard  to  his  glo- 
ry must  influence  it  as  the  chief  end  thereof;  and 
try  and  see  if  it  is  not  impossible  for  you  to  reac^ 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  77 

it  without  that  faith  afore-mentioned.     I  know  a 
Christian  may  reach  it  without  full  assurance  :  but 
still,  according  to  the  measure  of  their  persuasion 
that  God  is  their  God,  so  will  their  attainments  in 
it  be ;  these  keep  equal  pace.     O   what  kind  of 
hearts  do  they  imagine   themselves  to  have,  that 
think  they  can  for  a  moment  empty  them  of  the 
creature,  farther  than  they  can  fill  them  with  a 
God,  as  their  God,  in  its  room  and  stead !  No 
doubt  men  may,  from  the  force  of  moral  consider- 
ations, work  themselves  to  a  behaviour  under  the 
crook,  externally  right,  such  as  many  Pagans  had ; 
but  a  Christian  disposition  of  spirit  under  it  will 
never  be  reached,  without  that  faith  in  God. 

Object,  '  Then  it  is  saints  only  that  are  capable 
*  of  improvement  of  that  consideration.' 

Ans,  Yea,  indeed  it  is  so,  as  to  that  and  all  o- 
ther  moral  considerations,  for  true  Christian  ends  : 
and  that  amounts  to  no  more,  than  that  directions 
for  walking  uprightly  are  only  for  the  living,  that 
have  the  use  of  their  limbs  ;  and  therefore,  that  ye 
may  improve  it,  set  yourselves  to  believe  in  the 
first  place. 

III.  I  shall  confirm  that  it  is  a  proper  mean  to 
bring  one  to  carr}^  righth'  under  it.  This  will  ap- 
pear, if  we  consider  these  four  things  : 

1.  It  is  of  great  use  to  divert  from  the  consi- 
dering and  dwelling  on  these  things  about  the 
crook,  which  serve  to  irritate  our  corruption.  Such 
are  the  baulking  of  our  will  and  wishes,  the  satis- 
faction we  would  have  in  the  matter's  going  ac- 
cording to  our  mind,  the  instruments  of  the  crook, 
how  injurious  they  are  to  us,  how  unreasonable, 
liQW  obstinate,  ?vc.  The  dwelling  on  these  consi- 
G2 


7S  The  Crook  in  the  lot. 

deraftions  is  but  the  blowing  of  fire  within  ;  but  to 
turn  our  eyes  to  it  as  the  work  of  God,  would  be  a 
cure  by  way  of  diversion,  2  Sam.  vi.  9,  10.  And 
such  diversion  of  the  thoughts  is  not  only  lawful, 
but  expedient  and  necessary. 

2.  It  has  a  moral  aptitude  for  producing  the 
good  effect.  Though  our  cure  is  not  compassed  by 
the  mere  force  of  reason ;  yet  it  is  carried  on,  not 
by  a  brutal  movement,  but  in  a  rational  wav,  Eph. 
V.  14.  This  consideration  has  a  moral  efficacy  on 
our  reason,  is  fit  to  awe  us  into  a  submission,  and 

•ministers  a  deal  of  argument  for  carrying  Chriati- 
anly  under  our  crook. 

3.  It  hath  a  divine  appointment  on  it  for  that 
end,  which  is  to  be  believed,  Prov.  iii.  6.  So  the 
text.  The  creature  in  itself  is  an  inefficacious  and 
moveless  thing,  a  mere  vanity,  Acts  xvii.  28.  What 
makes  any  thing  a  means  fit  for  the  end,  is  a  word 
of  divine  appointment,  Matt  iv.  4.  To  use  any 
thing  then  for  an  end,  without  the  faith  of  this,  is 
to  raake  a  God  of  the  creature  ;  therefore  it  is  to 
be  Ubed  in  a  dependence  on  God,  according  to  that 
word  of  appointment,  1  Tim.  iv.  4,  5.  And  every 
thing  is  hi  for  the  end  for  which  God  has  appoint- 
ed it.  This  consideration  is  appointed  for  that 
end ;  and  therefore  is  a  fit  means  for  it. 

4.  The  Spirit  may  be  expected  to  work  by  it, 
and  does  work  by  it  in  them  that  believe,  and  look 
to  him  for  it,  forasmuch  as  it  is  a  mean  of  his  own 
appointment.  Papists,  Legalists,  and  all  super- 
stitious persons,  devise  rarious  means  of  sanctifi- 
cation,  seeming  to  have,  or  really  having  a  moral 
fitness  for  the  same ;  but  they  are  quite  ineffectu- 
al, because,  like  Abana  and  Pharphar,  they  want  a 
word  of  divine  appointment  for  curing  us  of  our 
leprosy ;  therefore  the  Spirit  works  not  by  them 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  f  9 

since  they  are  none  of  his  own  tools,  but  devised 
of  their  hearts.  And  since  the  means  of  divine  ap- 
pointment are  ineffectual  without  the  Spirit,  these 
can  never  be  effectual.  But  this  consideration 
having  a  divine  appointment,  the  Spirit  works  by- 
it. 

Use,  Then  take  this  direction  for  your  carrying- 
right  under  the  crook  in  your  lot.  Inure  your- 
selves to  consider  it  as  the  work  of  God.  And 
for  helping  you  to  improve  it,  so  as  it  may  be  ef- 
fectual, I  offer  these  advices : 

1.  Consider  it  as  the  xcork  of  your  God  in  Christ. 
This  is  the  way  to  sprinkle  it  with  gospel  grace, 
and  so  make  it  tolerable,  Psalm  xxii.  1,  2,  3.  The 
discerning  of  a  Father's  hand  in  the  crook  will 
take  out  much  of  the  bitterness  of  it,  and  sugar 
the  pill  to  you.  For  this  cause  it  will  be  necessa- 
ry, (1.)  Solemnly  to  take  God  for  your  God  under 
your  crook.  Psalm  cxlii.  4,  5.  (2.)  In  all  your  en- 
counters with  it,  resolutely  to  believe,  and  claim 
your  interest  in  him,  1   Sam.  xxx.  6. 

2.  Enlarge  the  consideration  with  a  view  of  the 
divine  relations  to  you,  and  the  divine  attributes. 
Consider  it,  being  the  work  of  your  God,  the  work 
of  your  Father,  elder  Brother,  Head,  Husband, 
&c.  who  therefore  surely  consults  your  good. 
Consider  his  holiness  and  justice,  shewing  he 
wrongs  you  not;  his  mercy  and  goodness,  that  it 
is  not  worse  ;  his  sovereignty,  that  mav  silence 
you ;  his  infinite  wisdom  and  love,  that  may  satis- 
fy you  in  it. 

3.  Consider  what  a  work  of  his  it  is,  how  it  is 
a  convincing  work,  for  bringing  sin  to  remem- 
brance ;  a  correcting  work,  to  chastise  you  for 
your  follies  ;  a  preventing  work,  to  hedge  you  up 
from  courses  of  sin,  ye  vrould  otherwise  be  apt  to 


^  r/ie  Crook  2/1  the  Lot. 

run  into ,  a  tning  work,  to  discover  your  state, 
your  graces,  and  corruptions  ;  a  weaning  work> 
to  wean  you  from  the  world,  and  fit  you  for  hea- 
ven. 

4.  In  all  your  consideratiors  of  it,  in  this  man- 
ner look  upward  for  his  Spirit,  to  render  them  ef- 
fectual, 1  Cor.  iii.  6. — Thus  may  ye  carry  Chris- 
tianly  under  it,  till  God  even  it  either  here  or  in 
heaven. 


PROV.    XVI.     19. 

Better  it  is  to  be  of  an  humble  spirit  7uith  the  low* 
hjy  than  to  divide  the  spoil  with  the  proud, 

C^  Ol^LD  men  once  be  brought  to  believe,  that 
>  it  is  better  to  have  their  minds  brought  to 
ply  withji^'trook  in  their  lot,  than  to  force  even 
the  c^Cf^K  to  their  mind,  they  would  then  be  in  a 
fairSray  to  bring  their  matters,  in  that  case,  to  a 
good  account,  fiear  then  the  divine  decision  in 
that  case,  *''  Better  it  is  to  be  of  an  humble  spirit 
"  with  the  lowly,  than  to  divide  the  spoil  with 
the  prou^."     In  which  worcls, 

Firsty  There  is  a  comparison  instituted,  and 
that  bttween  two  parties,  and  two  points  wherein 
they  vastly  differ. 

l.^Y,  The  parties  are  the  lowly  and  the  proud, 
who  differ  like  heaven  and  the  centre  of  the  earth  : 
the  proud  are  ay  climbing  up  and  soaring  aloft : 
the  lowly  are  content  to  creep  on  the  ground,  if 
that  is  the  will  of  God.  Let  us  view  them  mort 
the  text  represents  themr 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  81 

(1.)  On  the  one  hand  is  the  lowly.     Here  there 
is  a  line  reading,  and  a  marginal,  both  from  the  • 
Holy  Spirit,  and  they  differ  only  in  a  letter :   the  \ 
former  is  th«  afflicted  or  poor,  that  are  low  in  their 
condition :  those  that  have  a  notable  crook  in  their     \ 
lot  through  affliction  laid  on  them,  whereby  their 
condition  is  lowered  in  the  world.      The  other  is 
the  lowly  or  meek  humble  ones,    who  are  low  in 
their  spirit,  as  well  as  their  condition,  and  so  have 
their  minds  brought  down  to  their  lot.     Both  to- 
gether making  the  character  of  this  lowly  party. 

(2.)  On  the  other  hand  is  the  proud,  the  gay, 
and  high-minded  ones.  It  is  supposed  here  that 
tkey  are  crost  too,  and  have  crooks  in  their  lot  j 
for,  dividing  the  spoil  is  the  consequent  of  a  vic- 
tory, and  a  victory  presupposes  a  battle. 

2cliy^  The  points  wherein  these  parties  are  sup- 
posed to  differ,  viz.  being  .of  a  humble  spirit,  and 
dividing  the  spoil. 

Afflicted  and  lowly  ones  may  sometimes  get 
their  condition  changed,  may  be  raised  up  on  high, 
and  divide  the  spoil,  as  Hanna,  Job,  &c.  The 
proud  may  sometimes  be  thrown  down  and  crush- 
ed, as  Pharoah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  &c.  But  that  is 
not  the  question.  Whether  it  is  better  to  be  rai- 
sed up  with  the  lowly,  or  thrown  down  with  the 
proud  ?  There  would  be  no  difficulty  in  determi- 
ning that.  But  the  question  is.  Whether  it  is 
better  to  be  of  a  low  and  humble  spirit,  in  low  cir- 
cumstances, with  afflicted  humble  ones  :  or  to  di- 
vide the  spoil,  and  get  one's  will,  with  the  proud  ? 
If  men  would  speak  the  native  sentiments  of  their 
hearts,  that  question  would  be  determined  in  a 
contradiction  to  the  text.  The  points  then  here 
eompared  and  set  one  agaipst  another,  are  these  : 


82  The  Crook  in  the  Loi» 

(1.)  On  the  one  hand,  to  be  of  a  humble  spirit 
with  afflicted  lowlr  ones,  (Heb.)  to  be  low  of  spi- 
rit, for  the  word  primarily  denotes  lowness  in  sit- 
uation or  state  ;  so  the  point  here  proposed  is  to 
be  with  or  in  the  state  of  afflicted  lowly  ones,  ha- 
ving the  spirit  brought  down  to  that  low  lot;  the 
lowness  of  the  spirit  balancing  the  lowness  of  one''^ 
condition. 

(2.)  On  the  other  hand,  to  divide  the  spoil  with 
the  proud.  The  point  here  proposed  is,  to  be  with 
or  in  the  state  of  the  proud,  having  their  lot  by 
main  force  brought  to  their  mind  ;  as  those  who, 
taking  themselves  to  be  injured,  fight  it  out  with 
the  enemy,  overcome  and  divide  the  spoil  accord- 
ing to  their  will. 

Secondly^  The  decision  made,  wherein  the  for 
mer  is  preferred  to  the  latter ;  "  Better  it  is  to  be 
"of  a  humble  spirit  with  the  lowly,  than  to  di- 
"  vide  the  spoil  with  the  proud,"  &c.  If  these  two 
parties  were  set  before  us,  it  were  better  to  take 
our  lot  with  those  of  a  low  condition,  who  have 
their  spirits  brought  as  low  as  their  lot,  than  with 
those,  who,  being  of  a  proud  and  high-bended  spi- 
rit, have  their  lot  brought  up  to  their  mind.  A 
humble  spirit  is  better  than  a  heightened  coftdi  ■ 
tion. 

DocT.  There  is  a  generation  of  hxvly  afflicted 
ones^  having"  their  spirit  loXvered  ana  brought 
down  to  their  lot,  ivhose  case,  in  that  respecty 
is  better  than  that  of  the  proud  gettitig  their 
w  11^  and  carrying  all  to  their  mind. 

I.  We  shall  consider  the  generation  of  the  low- 
t'y  afflicted  ones,  having  their  spirit  brought  down 
to  their  lot.     And  we  shall. 


The  Crook  In  the  Let,  S5 

First,  Lay  down  some  general  considerations 
iboLit  them. 

1.  There  is  such  a  generation  in  the  world,  as 
bad  as  the  world  is.  The  text  expressly  mtntions 
them,  and  the  scripture  elsewhere  makes  mention 
of  them;,  as  Psalm  ix.  12.  and  x.  12.  Matt.  v.  3. 
with  Luke  vi.  20.  Where  shall  we  seek  them  I 
Not  in  heaven,  there  are  no  afflicted  ones  there  ; 
nor  in  hell,  there  are  no  lowh'  or  humble  ones 
there,  whose  spirit  is  brought  to  their  lot.  In 
this  w^orld  they  must  then  be,  where  the  state  of 
trial  is. 

2.  If  it  were  not  so,  Christ,  as  he  was  in  the 
world,  would  have  no  followers  in  it.  He  was  the 
htiid  of  that  generation  whom  they  all  copy  alter  ; 
''  Learn  of  nie,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart," 
Matt.  xi.  29.  And  for  his  honour,  and  the  ho- 
nour of  his  cross,  they  will  never  be  wanting  while 
the  world  stands,  Horn.  viii.  29.  *"  Whom  he  did 
•'  foreknow  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conform- 
"  ed  to  the  image  of  his  Son."  His  image  lies  in 
these  two,  suffering  and  holiness,  whereof  holi- 
ness is  a  chief  part. 

3.  Nevertheless  they  are  certainly  very  rare  in 
ike  world.  Agur  observes,  that  there  is  another 
generation,  (Prcv  xxx.  13.  "  Their  eyes  are  lof- 
♦'  ly,  and  their  eye-lids  lifted  up,")  quite  opposite 
to  them,  and  this  makes  the  greatest  company  b}' 
far.  The  low  and  affiictea  lot  is  not  so  vtry  rare, 
but  the  lowly  disposition  of  spirit  is  rarely  yoked 
with  it.  Many  a  high  bended  spirit  keeps  on  the 
bend  in  spite  of  lowering  circumstances. 

4.  They  can  be  no  more  in  number  than  the  tru- 
ly godly;  for  nothing  less  than  the  power  of  di- 
,  ine  grace  can  bring  down  men's  minds  from  their 
native  height,  zrA  make  their  will  plianj  to  the 


84  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

will  of  God,  2  Cor.  x.  4,  5.  Men  may  put  on  a 
face  of  submission  to  a  low  and  crost  lot,  because 
they  cannot  help  it,  and  they  see  it  is  in  vain  to 
strive  :  but  to  bring  the  spirit  truly  to  it,  must  be 
the  effect  of  humbling  grace. 

5.  Though  all  the  godly  are  of  that  getferation, 
yet  there  are  some  of  them  to  whom  that  charac- 
ter more  especially  belongs.  The  way  to  heaven 
lies  through  tribulation  to  all.  Acts  xiv.  22.  and 
all  Christ's  followers  are  reconciled  to  it  notwith- 
standing, Luke  xiv.  26.  yet  there  are  some  of  them 
more  remarkably  disciplined  thun  others,  whose 
spirit  however  is  thereby  humbled,  and  brought 
down  to  their  lot,  Psalm  cxxxi.  2.  '*  Surely  I 
"  have  behaved  and  quieted  myself  as  a  child 
*'  that  is  weaned  of  his  mother  ;  my  soul  is  even 
"  as  a  weaned  child."  Phil.  iv.  11,  12.  "  For  I 
'^  have  learned  in  whatsoever  state  I  am  there- 
"  with  to  be  content.  I  know  l)oth  how  to  be  a- 
*'  based,  and  I  know  how  to  abound :  every  where 
"  and  in  all  things  I  am  instructed,  both  to  be  full 
"  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to  abound  and  to  suffer 
"  need." 

6.  A  lowly  disposition  of  soul,  and  habitual  aim 
and  bent  of  the  heart  that  way,  has  a  ver^-  favour- 
able construction  put  upon  it  in  heaven.  Should 
we  look  for  a  generation  perfectly  purged  of  pride 
and  risings  of  heart  against  their  adverse  lot  at 
any  time,  we  would  find  none  in  this  world :  but 
those  who  are  sincerely  aiming  and  endeavouring 
to  reach  it,^  and  keep  the  way  of  contented  sub- 
mission, though  sometimes  they  are  blown  aside, 
and  returning  to  it  again,  God  accounts  to  be 
that  lowly-  generation,  2  Corin.  viii.  12.  James  v. 
11. 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  83 

'  Seccndlij^  We  shall  enter  into  xhQ  particulars  of 
their  character.  There  are  three  things  which 
together  make  up  their  character. 

Ist^  Affliction  in  their  lot.  That  lowly  genera- 
tion, preferred  to  the  proud  and  prosperous,  are 
a  generation  of  afflicted  ones,  whom  God  keeps 
under  the  discipline  of  the  covenant.  We  may 
take  it  up  in  these  two : 

1.  There  is  a  yoke  of  affliction  of  one  kind  or 
ether  oftentimes  upon  them,  Psalm  Ixxiii.  14.  If 
there  be  silence  hi  heaven  ^\t  is  but  for  half  an  hour^ 
JRev.  viii.  1.  tod  is  frequently  visiting  them  as  a 
master  doth  his  scholars,  and  a  physician  his  pa- 
tients ;  whereas  others  are  in  a  sort  overlooked  b)- 
him,  Rev.  iii.  19.  They  are  accustomed  to  the 
yoke,  and  that  from  the  time  they  enter  into  God's 
family,  Fsal.  cxxix.  1,2,  3,  God  sees  it  good  for 
them.  Lam.  iii.  27,  28. 

2.  There  is  a  particular  yoke  of  affliction,  which 
God  has  c4iosen  for  them,  that  hangs  about  them, 
and  is  seldom,  if  ever,  taken  off  them,  Luke  ix. 
2S.  That  is  their  special  trial,  the  crook  in  their 
lot,  the  yoke  which  lies  on  them  for  their  constant 
exercise,  'i  heir  other  trials  may  be  exchanged, 
but  that  is  a  weight  that  still  hangs  about  them, 
bowing  them  down. 

l'<^Av,  Lowliness  in  their  disposition  and  tenor 
of  spirit.  1  hey  are  a  generation  of  lowly  humble 
ones,  whose  spirits  God  has,  by  his  grace,  brought 
down  from  their  natural  height.     And  thus, 

1.  They  think  soberly  and  meanly  of  themselves; 
what  they  are,  2  Cor.  xii.  11 ;  what  they  can  do, 
2  Cor.  iii.  5. ;  what  they  are  -worth.  Gen.  xxxii. 
10.;  and  what  they  deserve.  Lam.  iii.  32.  View- 
Inr  theraselve°-  i^i  the  glass  of  the  divine  law  and 
H 


86  i  tit  C;  i^'jK  j.i  i/ie  Lou 

perfection,  they  see  themselves  as  a  mass  of  im- 
perfeccion  and  siafulness,  Job  xhi.  5,  6. 

2.  They  think  highly  and  honourably  of  God, 
Psal.  cxliv.  3.  They  are  taught  by  the  Spirit  what 
God  is  ;  and  so  entertain  elevated  thoughts  of  him. 
They  consider  him  as  the  Sovereign  ol  the  world, 
his  perfections  as  infinite,  his  work  as  perfect. 
They  look  on  him  as  the  fountain  of  happiness,  as 
a  God  in  Christ,  doing  all  things  well  :  trusting 
his  wisdom,  goodness,  and  love,  even  where  they 
cannot  see,  Heb.  xi.  8. 

3.  They  think  favourably  of  others,  as  far  as  in 
justice  they  may,  Phil.  ii.  3.  Though  they  cannot 
hinder  themselves  to  see  their  glaring  faults,  yei 
thev  are  ready  withal  to  acknowledge  their  excel- 
lencies, and  esteem  them  so  far.  And  because 
they  see  more  into  their  own  mercies  and  advan- 
tages for  holiness,  and  misimproving  thereof,  than 
they  can  see  into  others,  they  are  apt  to  look  on 
others  as  better  than  themselves,  circumstances 
compared. 

4.  They  are  sunk  down  into  a  state  of  subordi- 
nation to  God  and  his  will,  Psal.  cxxxi.  1,  2.  Pride 
sets  a  man  up  against  God,  lowliness  brings  him 
back  to  his  place,  and  lays  him  do\rn  at  the  feet  ot 
his  sovereign  Lord,  saying,  Thy  wUl  be  done  on 
earthy  &c. —  I  hey  seek  no  more  the  command,  bu: 
are  content  that  God  himself  sit  a:  the  helm  of  their 
affairs,  and  manage   all  for  them,    PsiiLn  xlvii.  ^. 

5.  They  arc  not  bent  on  high  things,  but  dispos- 
ed to  stoop  to  lovr  things.  Psalm  cxxxi.  1.  Low 
lincss  levels  the  towering  imaginations,  which 
pride  mounts  up  against  heaven  ;  draws  a  veil  o\\  i 
all  personal  worth  and  excellencies  before  t!: 
Lord,  and  yields  a  man's  all  to  the  Lord,  to  be 
as  stepping  stones  to  the  throne  of  his  gnce,  % 
Sam  '     ' 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  87' 

6.  They  are  apt  to  magnify  mercits  bestowed 
on  them,  Gen.  xxvii.  10.  Pride  of  heart  overlooks 
and  vilifies  mercies  one  is  posstst  of,  and  fixeth 
the  eye  on  what  is  v/anting  in  one's  condition, 
making  one  like  the  flies,  which  pass  over  the 
sound  places,  and  swai-m  together  on  the  sore. 
On  the  contrary,  lowliness  teaches  men  to  recount 
the  mercies  they  enjoy  in  the  lowest  condition,  and 
to  set  a  mark  on  the  good  things  they  have  possest, 
or  yet  do,  Job  ii.  10. 

3d//i/,  A  spirit  brought  down  to  their  lot.  Their 
lot  is  a  low  and  afflicted  one  ;  but  their  spirit  is  as 
low,  being,  through  grace,  brought  down  to  it. 
We  may  take  it  up  in  these  five  things. 

1.  They  submit  to  it  ^sjust.  jNIic.  vii.  9.  "  I  will 
''  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
*'  sinned  against  him.''  There  are  no  hardships 
in  our  condition,  but  we  have  procured 
them  to  ourselves  ;  and  it  is  therefore  just 
we  kiss  the  rod,  and  be  silent  under  it,  and  so  low- 
er our  spirits  to  our  lot.  If  they  complain,  they 
have  their  complaints  on  themselves  ;  their  hearts 
rise  not  up  against  the  Lord,  far  le:^s  do  they  open 
their  mouths  against  the  heavens.  They  justify 
God  and  condemn  themselves,  reverencing  his  ho- 
liness and  spotless  righteousness  in  his  proceed- 
ings against  them. 

2.  They  go  quietly  under  it,  as  tolerable.  Lam. 
iii.  26, — 29.  It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope 
and  quietly  waitftr  the  salvation  of  the  Lord*  It 
is  good  for  a  man  that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his 
youth*  He  sitteth  alone,  and  keepeth  silence,  be- 
cause he  hath  borne  it  upon  him ;  he  putteth  his 
mouth  in  the  dust,  if  so  be  there  may  be  hope. 
While  the  unsubdued  spirit  rageth  under  the  yoke, 
as  a  bullock  unaccustomed  to  it,  the  spirit  brought 


88  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

to  the  lot  goes  softly  under  it.  They  see  it  is  of* 
the  Lord's  mercies  that  it  is  not  worse ;  they  take 
up  the  naked  cross,  as  God  lays  it  down,  v/ithout 
these  overweights  upon  it  ^hat  turbulent  passions 
add  thereunto  ;  and  so  it  becomes  really  more  ea- 
sy than  they  thought  it  could  have  been,  like  a 
burden  fitted  on  the  back. 

3.  They  are  satisfied  m  it,  as  drawing  their  com- 
fort from  another  airth  than  their  outward  condi- 
tion, even  as  the  house  stands  fast  when  the  prop 
is  taken  away  that  it  did  not  lean  upon.  "  Al- 
"  though  the  fig-tree  should  not  blossom,  neither 
"  fruit  be  in  the  vine,  vet  I  will  rejoice  in  the 
"Lord,"  Hab.  iii.  17,  18.  Thus  did  David  in 
the  day  of  his  distress,  "  he  encouraged  himself 
*'  in  the  Lord  his  God,"  1  Sam.  xxx.  6.  It  is  an 
argument  of  a  spirit  not  brought  down  to  the  lot, 
when  one  is  damped  and  sunk  under  the  hardships 
of  it,  as  if  their  condition  in  the  world  were  the 
point  whereon  their  happiness  turned.  It  is  want 
of  mortification  that  makes  men's  comforts  to  wax 
and  wane,  ebb  and  flow,  according  to  the  various 
appearances  of  their  lot  in  the  wTJrld. 

4.  They  have  a  co?nplace7icy  in  it,  as  that  which 
is  fit  and  good  for  them,  Isa.  xxxix.  8.  2  Cor. 
xii.  10.  Men  have  a  sort  of  complacency  in  the 
working  of  physic,  though  it- gripes  them  sore; 
they  rationally  think  with  themselves  that  it  is 
good  and  best  for  them :  so  these  lowly  souls  con- 
sider their  afflicted  lot  as  a  spiritual  medicine,  ne- 
cessary, fit,  and  good  for  them  ;  yea  best  for  them 
for  the  time,  since  it  is  ministred  by  their  heaven- 
ly Father :  and  so  they  reach  a  holy  complacency 
in  their  low  afflicted  lot. 

The  lowly  spirit  extracts  this  sweet  out  of  the 
bitterness  in  his  lot,  considering  how  the  Lord,  by 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot*  ^^ 

means  of  that  afflicting  lot,  stops  the  provision  for 
unruly  lusts,  that  they  may  be  star\'ed :  how  he- 
cuts  off  the  by-channels,  that  the  whole  stream  gf 
the  soul's  love  may  run  towards  himself;  how  he 
pulls  off  and  holds  off  the  man's  burden  and  clog 
of  earthly  comforts,  that  he  may  run  the  more  ex- 
peditiously the  way  to  heaven. 

5.  They  rest  in  it,  as  what  they  desire  not  to 
come  out  of,  till  the  God  that  brought  them  into 
it,  see  it  meet  to  bring  them  out  with  his  good- 
will, Isa.  xxviii.  16.  ITiough  an  unsubdued  spi- 
rit's time  for  deliverance  is  always  ready,  a  hum- 
ble soul  will  be  afraid  of  being  taken  out  of  its 
afflicted  lot  too  soon.  It  will  not  be  for  a  moving 
for  a  change,  till  the  heavens  moving  bring  it  a- 
bout :  so  this  hinders  not  prayer,  aud  the  use  of 
appointed  means,  with  dependence  on  the  Lord  ; 
but  requires  faith,  hope,  patience,  and  resignation, 
2  Sam.  XV.  25,  26. 

11.  We  shall  consider  the  generation  of  the 
proud  getting  their  will,  and  carrying  all  to  their 
mind.  And  in  their  character  also  arc  three 
things. 

Firsts  there  are  crosses  in  their  lot.  They  also 
have  their  trials  allotted  them  by  over-ruling  pro- 
vidence, and  let  them  be  in  what  circumstances 
they  will  in  the  world,  they  cannot  miss  them  al- 
together.    For  consider, 

1 .  The  confusion  and  vanity  brought  into  the 
creation  by  man's  sin,  have  made  it  impossible  to 
get  through  the  world,  but  men  must  meet  with 
what  will  ruffle  them,  Eccl.  i.  14.  Sin  has  turned 
the  world  from  a  paradise  into  a  thicket,  there  is 
no  getting  through  without  being  scratch'd.  As 
H  2 


90  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

the  midges  in  the  summer  will  fly  about  those 
walking  abroad  in  a  goodly  attire,  as  well  as  about 
those  in  sordid  appai-el;  so  will  crosses  in  the 
world  meet  with  the  high  as  well  a^the  low. 

2.  The  pride  of  their  heart  exposes  them  parti- 
cularly to  crosses.  A  proud  heart  will  make  a 
cross  to  itself,  where  a  lowly  soul  would  find  none^ 
Esth.  V.  13.  It  will  make  a  real  cross  ten  times 
the  weight  it  would  be  to  the  humble.  The  gene- 
ration of  the  proud  are  like  nettles  and  thorn-hed- 
ges, upon  which  things  flying  about  do  fix,  while 
they  pass  over  low  and  plain  things ;  so  none  arc 
more  exposed  to  crosses  than  they,  though  none 
so  unfit  to  bear  them ;  as  appears  from, 

Secondly^  Keigning /jrzVif  in.  their  spirit.  Their 
spirits  were  never  subdued  by  a  work  of  thorough 
humiliation,  they  remain  at  the  height  in 
which  the  corruption  of  nature  sets  them  -,  hence 
they  can  by  no  means  bear  the  yoke  God  lays  on 
them.  The  neck  is  swollen  with  the  ill  humours 
of  pride  and  passion ;  hence,  when  the  yoke  once 
begins  to  touch  it,  they  cannot  have  any  more  ease. 
We  may  view  the  caee  of  the  proud  generation 
here  in  three  things  : 

1.  They  have  an  over-value  for  themselves;  and 
so  the  proud  mind  says,  The  man  should  not  stoop 
to  the  yoke  ;  it  is  below  them*     What  a  swelling 
vanity  is  in  that,  Exod.  v.  2.  "  Who  is  the  Lord 
"  that  I  should  obey  his  voice  ?"  Hence  a  work  of 
humiliation  is  necessary  to  make  one  take  on  the 
yoke,  whether  of  Christ's  precepts  or  providence. 
The  first  error  is  in  the  understanding ;  whence 
Solomon  ordinarily  calls  a  wicked  man  a  fool ;  ac- 
cordingly the  first  stroke  in  conversion  is  there 
too,  by  conviction  to  humble.     Men  are  bigger 
in  their  own  conceit,  than  they  are  in  deed  ;  there- 
fore God  suiting  things  to  what  wc  are  really,  can* 
not  please  n% 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  9i 

2.  They  have  an  unmortified  self-will,  arising 
from  that  ovtr-value  for  themselves,  and  it  says 
he  will  not  stoop,  Exod.  v.  2.  The  question  be- 
twixt heaven  and  us,  is,  Whether  God's  will  or  our 
own  must  carry  it?  Our  will  is  cormpt,  God's 
will  is  holy;  they  cannot  agree  in  one.  God  says 
in  his  providence,  our  will  must  yield  to  his ;  but 
that  it  will  not  do,  till  the  iron  sinew  in  it  be  bro- 
ken, Rom.  vi.  7.  Isa.  xlviii.  4« 

3.  They  have  a  crowd  of  unsubdued  passions 
taking  part  with  the  self-v/ill ;  and  they  say,  He 
shall  not  stoop,  Rom,  vii  8,  9. ;  and  so  the  war 
begins,  and  there  is  a  field  of  battle  within  and 
without  the  man,  James  iv.  1. 

(1.)  A  holy  God  crosses  the  self-will  of  the 
proud  creatures  by  his  providence,  over- ruling  and 
disposing  of  things  contrar)^  to  their  inclination  ; 
sometimes  by  his  own  immediate  hand,  as  in  the 
case  of  Cain,  Gen.  iv.  4,  5.  sometimes  by  the  hand 
of  men  carrj^ing  things  against  their  mind,  as  in 
the  case  of  Ahab,  to  whom  Naboth  refused  his 
vineyard,  1  Kings  xxi.  4. 

(2.)  The  proud  heart  and  will,  unable  to  submit 
to  the  cross,  or  to  bear  to  be  controukd,  rises  up 
against  it,  and  fights  for  the  master\%  with  its 
whole  force  of  unraortiEtd  passions.  The  design 
is  to  remove  the  cross,  even  the  crook,  and  bring 
tlie  thing  to  their  o\vn  mind ;  this  is  the  cause  of 
this  unholy  war,  in  which : 

1.  There  is  one  black  band  of  hellish  passions 
that  marches  upward,  and  makes  an  attack  on  hea- 
ven itself,  VIZ.  discontent,  impatience,  murmuring, 
frettmgs,  and  the  like.  "  The  foolishness  of  man 
"  perverteth  his  way  ;  and  his  heart  fretteth  against 
^^  tne  Lord,"  Prov.  xix.  ^.  These  fire  the  breast, 
fall  the  countenance.  Gen.  iv.  6»  let  off  sometimes 


92  The  Crook  tii  the  Lot. 

a  volley  of  indecent  aiid  passionate  complaints, 
Jude,  ver.  16.  and  sometimes  of  blasphemies,  2 
Kings  vi.  33. 

2.  There  is  another  that  marches  forward,  and 
makes  an  attack  on  the  instrument  or  instruments 
of  the  cross,  viz.  anger,  wrath,  fury,  revenge,  bit- 
terness, &c.  Prov.  xxvii.  4.  These  carry  the  man 
out  of  the  possession  of  himself,  Luke  xxi.  19.  fill 
the  heart  with  a  boiling  heat,  Psal.  xxxix.  3.  the 
mouth  with  clamour  and  evil-speaking,  Eph.  iv. 
31.  and  threatenings  arc  breathed  out.  Acts  ix.  1. 
and  sometimes  set  the  hands  on  work,  which  has 
a  most  heavy  event.  Matt.  v.  21,  22.  as  in  the  case 
of  Ahab  against  Naboth. 

Thus  the  proud  carry  on  the  war,  but  oftentimes 
they  lose  the  day,  and  the  cross  remains  immove- 
able for  all  they  can  do;  yea,  and  sometimes  they 
themselves  fall  in  the  quarrel,  it  ends  in  their  ruin, 
Exod.  XV.  9,  10.  But  that  is  not  the  case  in  the 
text.     We  are  to  consider  them  as, 

Thlrdhj^  Getting  their  ivill^  and  carrying  all  to 
their  mind.     This  speaks, 

1.  Holy  Providence  yielding  to  the  man's  un- 
mortificd  self-will,  and  letting  it  go  according  to 
his  mind.  Gen.  vi.  3.  God  sees  it  meet  to  let  the 
struggle  with  him  fall,  for  it  prevails  not  to  his 
good,  Isa.  i.  5.  So  the  reins  are  laid  on  the  proud 
man's  neck,  and  he  hns  what  he  would  be  at; 
*'  Ephraim  is  joined  to  idols,  let  him  alone,''  Hos. 
iv.  17. 

2.  The  lust  remaining  in  its  strength  ahd  vigour. 
Psalm  Ixxviii.  30.  '*^They  were  not  estranged 
** from  their  lust."  God,  in  the  method  of  his  co- 
venant, sometimes  gives  his  people  their  will,  and 
sets  them  where  they  would  be ;  but  then,  in  that 
case,  tlie  lust  ior  the  thing  is  mortified,  and  they 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  i^3 

are  as  weaned  children,  Psalm  x.  IT.  But  here  the 
lust  remains  rampant;  the  proud  seek  meat  for  it, 
and  get  it. 

3.  The  cross  removed,  the  yoke  taken  off,  Psalm 
Ixxviii.  29.  They  could  not  think  of  bringing  their 
mind  to  their  lot ;  but  they  thwarted  with  it,  wrest- 
led and  fought  against  it,  till  it  is  brought  up  to 
their  mind :  So  the  day  is  their  own,  the  victory 
is  on  their  side. 

4.  The  man  is  pleased  in  his  having  carried  his 
point,  even  as  one  is  when  he  is  dividing  the  spoil, 
1  Kings  xxi.  18,  19. 

Thus  the  case  of  the  afflicted  lowly  generation, 
and  the  proud  generation  prospering,  is  stated. 
Ivl'ow, 

III.  I  am  to  conjirm  the  doctrine,  or  the  deci- 
sion of  the  text.  That  the  case  of  the  former  is  bet- 
ter than  that  of  the  latter.  It  is  better  to  be  in  a 
low  afflicted  condition,  with  a  spirit  humbled  and 
brought  down  to  the  lot,  than  to  be  of  a  proud  and 
high  spirit,  getting  the  lot  brought  up  to  it,  and 
matters  go  to  will  and  wish,  according  to  one*?* 
mind.  This  will  appear  from  the  following  consid- 
erations. 

\st^  Humility  is  so  far  preferable  to  pride,  that 
in  no  circumstances  whatsoever  its  preferableness 
can  fail.  Let  all  the  afflictions  in  a  world  attend 
the  humble  spirit,  and  all  the  prosperity  in  the 
world  attend  pride,  humility  will  still  have  the  bet- 
ter; as  gold  in  a  dunghill  is  more  excellent  than 
so  much  lead  in  a  cabinet.     For, 

1.  Humility  is  a  piece  of  the  image  of  God. 
Pride  is  the  master-piece  of  the  image  of  the  devil. 
Let  us  view  him  who  was  the  express  image  of  the 
Father's  person,  and  we  shall  behold  him  meek  and 
Invly  in  hearty  Matt.  xi.  29.  None  more  afflicted, 


94  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

yet  his  spirit  perfectly  brought  down  to  his  lot- 
Isa.  liii.  7.  "  He  was  oppressed,  and  he  was  afflic- 
"  ted,  yet  he  opened  not  his  mouth."  That  is  a 
shining  piece  of  the  divine  image :  for  though  God 
cannot  be  low  in  respect  of  his  state  and  condition, 
yet  he  is  of  infinite  condescension,  Isa.  Ivii.  15. 
None  bears  as  he,  Kom,  ii.  4.  nor  suffers  patiently 
so  much  contradiction  to  his  will,  which  is  propo- 
sed to  us  for  our  encouragement  in  affliction,  as  it 
shone  in  Christ.  *'  For  consider  him  that  endur- 
"  eth  so  much  contradiction  of  sinners  against  him- 
"self,  lest  ye  be  wearied  and  faint  in  your  minds," 
Heb.  xii.  3. 

Pride,  on  the  other  hand,  is  the  very  image  of 
the  devil,  1  Tim.  iii.  6.  Will  we  value  ourselves 
on  the  height  of  our  spirits  ?  Satan  will  vie  with  the 
highest  of  us  in  that  point :  for,  though  he  is  the 
most  miserable,  yet  he  is  the  proudest  in  the  whole 
creation.  There  is  the  greatest  distance  between 
his  spirit  and  his  lot ;  the  former  is  as  high  as  the 
throne  of  God,  the  latter  as  low  as  hell :  and  as  it  is 
impossible  that  ever  his  lot  should  be  brought  up 
to  his  spirit;  so  his  spirit  will  never  come  down 
to  his  lot:  and  therefore  he  will  be  eternally  ia  a 
state  of  war  with  his  lot.  Hence,  even  at  this  time, 
he  has  no  rest,  but  goes  about,  seeks  rest  indeed, 
but  finds  none. 

Now,  is  it  not  better  to  be  like  God  than  like  the 
devil?  Like  him  who  is  the  fountain  of  all  good, 
than  him  who  is  the  spring  and  sink  of  all  evil  ? 
Can  any  thing  possibly  cast  the  balance  here,  and 
turn  the  preference  to  the  other  side  ?  "  Then  bet- 
*'  ter  it  is  to  be  of  an  humble  spirit  with  the  low- 
*My,''&c. 

2.  Humility  and  lowliness  of  spirit  qualifies  us 
for  friendlv  communion  and  intercourse  with  God 


The  Crcok  in  tht  Lots  95 

in  Christ.  Pride  makes  God  our  enemy,  1  Pet. 
V.  5.  Our  happiness  here  and  hereafter  depends 
on  our  friendly  intercourse  with  heaven.  If  we 
have  not  that,  nothing  can  make  up  our  loss, 
Psalm  XXX.  5.  If  we  have  that,  nothing  can 
make  us  miserable,  Rom.  viii.  31,  "  If  God  be  for 
*'  us,  who  can  be  against  us  r"  Now,  who  are  they 
whom  God  is  for  but  the  humble  and  lowly  ?  they 
who  being  in  Christ  are  so  made  like  him.  He 
blesses  them,  and  declares  them  the  heirs  of  the 
crown  of  gloiy  :  "  blessed  be  the  poor  in  spirit,  for 
*'  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven,"  Matt.  v.  3. 
He  will  look  to  them,  be  their  condition  ever  so  low, 
while  he  overlooks  others,  Isa.  Ixvi.  2.  He  will 
have  respect  to  tliem,  however  they  be  despised: 
"  Tho'  the  I.ord  be  high,  yet  hath  he  respect  to 
**  the  lowly  ;  but  the  proud  ]\t  knoweth  afar  off," 
Psul.  cxxxviii.  0.  He  will  dwell  with  them,  however 
poorly  they  dwell,  Isa.  Ivii.  15.  He  will  certainly 
exalt  them  in  due  time,  however  low  they  lie  now, 
Isa.  xl.  4, 

Whom  is  he  against  r  whom  does  he  resist  ?  The 
proud.  Them  he  curseth,  Jer.  xvii.  5.  and  that 
curse  will  dry  up  their  arm  at  length.  The  proud 
man  is  God's  rival;  he  makes  himself  his  own  Gi^d, 
and  would  have  those  about  him  make  him  theirs 
too  ;  he  rjiges,  he  blusters,  if  they  will  not  fall 
down  before  him.  But  God  will  bring  him  down, 
Isa.  xl.  4.  Psal.  xviii.  27. 

Now  is  it  not  better  to  be  qualified  for  commu- 
aion  with  God,  than  to  have  him  engaged  against 
us  at  any  rate  ? 

3.  Humility  is  a  duty  pleasing  to  God,  pride  a 
sin  pleasing  to  the  devil,  Isa.  Ivii.  15.  1  Tim.  iii. 
6.  God  requires  us  to  be  humble,  especially  under 
affliction,  "and  be  clothed  with  humility,"  1  Pet. 


96  The  CrQQk  in  the  Lot, 

T.  5,  6.  That  is  our  becoming  garment.  The  hum- 
ble Publican  was  accepted,  the  proud  Pharisee  re- 
jected. We  may  say  of  the  generation  of  the  proud, 
as  1  Thess.  ii.  16. — ''  Wrath  is  come  upon  them  to 
*^the  uttermost,"  They  please  neither  God  nor 
men,  but  only  themselves  and  Satan,  whom  they 
resemble  in  it.  Now,  duty  is  ay  better  than  sin  at 
any  rate. 

2dhjy  They  whose  spirits  are  brought  down  to 
their  afflicted  lot,  have  much  quiet  and  repose  of  . 
raind,  while  the  proud,  that  must  have  their  lot 
brought  up  to  their  mind,  have  much  disquiet, 
trouble, and  vexation. — Consider  here,  that,  on  the 
one  hand, 

1.  Quiet  of  mind,  and  ease  within,  is  a  great 
blessing,  upon  which  the  comfort  of  life  depends. 
Nothing  without  this  can  make  one's  lift",  happy, 
Dan.  V.  6^- And  where  this  is  maintainec^i  nothing 
can  make  it  miserable,  John  xvi.  53.  T'iiis  being 
secured  in  God,  there  is  a  defiance  bid  to  all  the 
troubles  of  the  v/orld.  Psalm  xlvi.  2,  3,  4.  Like  the 
child  sailing  in  the  midst  of  the  roiling  y  vaves. 

2.  The  spirit  brought  down  to  the  lot  r  nakes  and 
maintains  this  inward  tranquility.  O  ur  whole 
troj^Jple  in  our  lot  in  the  world  riseth  fro:  m  the  dis- 
agreement of  our  mind  therewith ;  let  t'l  *  raind  be 
brought  to  the  lot  and  the  wholfe  tumult  is  instant- 
ly husht ;  let  it  be  kept  in  that  dispositio  •i,and  the 
man  shall  stand  at  ease  in  his  affliction,  li  ke  a  rock 
unmoved  v/ith  waters  beating  on  it,  Col  .  iii.  15. 
*'  And  1ft  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  I  learts,  to 
*^  the  which  also  ye  are  called." 

On  the  other  hand  consider, 

1.  What  disquiet  of  mind  the  proud  clo  su  fFet 
ere  they  can  get  their  lot  brought  up  to  the  ir  m  ind. 
''They  hkve  taught tiisir  tongues  to  speak  Xits^   anc^ 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  97 

-'  they  weary  themselves  to  commit  iniquity,"  Jer. 
Ix.  5.  James  iv.  2.  "  Ye  lust,  and  have  not :  ye 
"kill,  and  desire  to  have,  and  cannot  obtain;  ye 
"  fight  and  war,  yet  ye  have  not."— What  arrows 
of  grief  go  thro'  their  heart  ?  what  torture  of  anx- 
iety, fretting,  and  vexation  must  they  endure^ 
what  contrary  passions  do  fight  within  them  ?  and 
xvhat  sallies  of  passions  do  they  make  ?  what  un- 
easiness was  Haman  in,  before  he  could  carr\'  the 
point  of  the  revenge  against  Mordecai  obtaining  the. 
king's  decree? 

2.  When  the  thing  is  got  to  their  mind,  it  will 
not  quit  the  cost.  The  enjoyment  thereof  brings 
not  so  much  satisfaction  and  pleasure,  as  the  want 
of  it  gave  pain.  This  was  evident  in  Rachel's  case 
as  to  the  having  of  children  ;  and  in  that  case,  Psal. 
Ixxviii.  30,  31.  There  is  a  dead  fly  in  the  oint- 
ment that  mars  the  savour  they  expected  to  find  in 
it.  Fruit  pluckt  oif  the  tree  of  providence,  ere  it 
is  ripe,  will  readily  set  the  teeth  on  edge.  It  proves; 
like  the  manna  kept  over  night,  Exod.  xvi.  20. 

3.  They  have  but  an  unsure  grip  of  it ;  it  doth 
not  last  with  them.  Either  it  is  taken  from  them 
soon,  and  they  are  just  where  they  were  again  :  "I 
"  gave  thee  a  king  in  my  anger,  and  took  him  away 
"in  my  wrath."  PIos.  xiii.  11.  Having  a  root  of 
pride,  it  quickly  whithers  away ;  or  else  they  arc 
taken  from  it,  that  they  have  no  access  to  enjoy  it. 
So  Haman  obtained  the  decree  ;  but  ere  the  day  of 
the  execution  came  he  was  gone. 

3^/z/,  They  that  get  their  spirit  brought  do^v^^  to 
their  afflicted  lot,  do  gain  a  point  far  more  valua- 
ble than  they  who  in  their  pride  force  up  their  lot 
to  their  mind,  Prov.  xvi.  32.  "  He  that  is  slow  to 
*'  anger,  is  better  than  the  mighty' ;  and  he  that  ru- 


'm- 


TheCrvok  iritfielct. 


'Meth  his  spirit,  than  he  that  taketh  a  city.     TffliF 
will  appear,  if  ye  consider, 

1 .  The  latter  makes  but  a  better  condition  in  out- 
ward things,  the  former  makesa  better  man.  The 
life  is  more  than  meat. — The  man  himself  is  more 
valuable  than  all  external  conveniencies  that  attend 
him.  What  therefore  betters  the  man  is  preferable 
to  what  betters  only  his  condition.  Who  doubts, 
t)ut  where  two  are  sick,  and  the  one  gets  himself 
transported  from  a  coarse  bed  to  a  fine  one,  but  the 
sickness  still  remaining  ;  the  other  lies  still  in  th« 
coarse  bed,  but  the  sickness  is  removed,  that  th« 
case  of  the  latter  is  preferable  ?  So  here,  &c. 

2.  The  subduing  of  our  own  passions  is  more  ex- 
cellent than  to  have  the  whole  world  subdued  to 
our  will:  for  then  we  are  masters  of  ourselves,  ac-* 
cording  to  that,  Luke  xxi.  19.  Whereas,  in  the 
other  case,  we  are  still  slaves  to  the  worst  of  mas- 
ters, Rom.  vi.  16.  In  the  one  case  we  are  safe, 
blow  what  storm  will ;  in  the  other  we  lie  expo- 
sed to  thousands  of  dangers,  Prov.  xxv.  28.  **He 
^'thathath  no  rule  over  his  own  spirit,  is  like  a  city 
*'  that  is  broken  down,  and  without  walls." 

3.  When  both  shall  come  to  be  judged,  h  will 
appear  the  one  has  multiplied  the  tale  of  their  good 
works,  in  bring  their  spirit  to  their  lot ;  the  other, 
the  tale  of  their  ill  works  m  bringing  their  lot  to 
their  spirit.  We  have  to  do  with  an  omniscient 
God,  in  whose  eyes  every  internal  action  is  a 
work,  good  or  bad,  to  be  reckoned  for,  Ronu 
ii.  IG. 

An  afflicted  lot  is  painful,  but  where  it  is  well 
managed,  it  is  very  fruitful ;  it  exercises  the  gi-aces 
of  the  Spirit  in  a  Christian,  which  otherwise  would 
lie  dormant.  But  there  is  never  an  act  of  resigna- 
tion to  the  will  of  God  under  the  cross,  nor  an  net 


The  Qrook  in  the  Lot,  99 

of  trusting  in  him  for  his  help,  but  they  will  be  re- 
corded in  heaven's  register  as  good  works,  Mai.  iii^ 
is.     And  these  are  occasioned  by  affliction. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  is  never  a  rising  of  th.e 
proud  heart  against  the  lot,  nor  a  faithless  attempt 
to  bring  it  to  our  mind,  whether  it  succeed  or  not, 
but  it  passes  for  an  ill  work  before  God.  How  then 
will  the  tale  of  such  be  multiplied  by  the  war  in 
which  the  spoil  is  divided ! 

Use  1.  Oiinformation,  Hence  w*e  may  learn, 

1.  It  is  not  always  best  for  folk  to  get  their  will. 
Many  there  are  who  cannot  be  pleased  with  God's 
will  about  them,  and  they  get  their  own  will  with 
a  vengeance,  Psal.  Ixxxi.  11,  12.  ^'^  Israel  would 
"  none  of  me,  so  I  gave  them  up  to  their  o\ra  heart's 
*'lust;  and  they  walked  in  their  own  counsels." 
It  may  be  pleasantest  and  gratefullest  for  the 
time,  but  it  is  not  fhe  safest.  Let  not  people  pride 
themselves  in  their  carrying  things  that  way  th«n 
by  strong  hand ;  let  them  not  triumph  on  such  vic- 
tory ;  the  after-reckoning  will  open  their  eyes. 

2.  The  afflicted  crossed  party,  w^hose  lot  is  kept 
low,  is  so  far  from  being  a  loser,  that  he  is  a  gainer 
thereby,  if  his  spirit  is  brought  down  to  it.  And  if 
he  will  see  his  case  in  the  light  of  God's  unerring 
word,  he  is  in  better  case  than  if  he  had  got  all 
carried  to  his  mind.  In  the  one  way  the  vessels 
of  wrath  are  fitted  for  destruction,  Psalm.  Ixxviii. 
29,  30,  31.  In  the  other,  the  vessels  of  mercy  are  fit- 
ted for  glor)^,  and  so  God  disciplines  his  own, 
Lam.  iii.  27. 

3.  It  is  better  to  yield  to  Providence  than  to 
fight  it  out,  though  we  should  win.  Yielding  to 
the  sovereign  disposal  is  both  our  becoming  duty 
and  our  greatest  interest.  Taking  that  way  we  act 
most  honourable ;  for  what  honour  can  there  be  in 


lew  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

a  creature's  disputing  his  ground  with  his  Creator  r 
and  we  act  most  wisely ;  for  whatever  may  be  th§ 
success  of  some  battles  in  that  case,  we  may  be  sure 
victory  will  be  on  Heaven's  side  in  the  war,  I 
Sam.  ii.  9..  **For^^by  strength  shall  no  maft  pre- 
'•■vail."  V 

Lastly^  It  is  of  far  £Teater  concern  for  us  to  get 
our  spirits  brought  down  than  our  outward  condi- 
tion raised.  But  who  believes  this  t  All  men  strive 
to  raise  their  outward  condition ;  most  men  never 
mind  the  bringing  down  of  their  spirits,  and  few 
there  are  who  apply  themselves  to  it.  And  what 
is  that  but  to  be  concerned  to  minister  drink  to  the 
thirsty  sick,  but  never  to  mind  to  seek  a  cure  for 
them,  whereby  their  thirst  may  be  cai-ried  off. 

Use  2.  Of  epch^rtation.  As  you  meet  with  crOS' 
ses  in  your  lot  In  the  world,  let  your  bent  be  rath- 
er to  have  your  spirit  humbled  and  brought  down, 
than  to  get  the  cross  moved.  I  nclfean  not  but  that 
ye  may  use  all  lawful  means  for  the  removal  of 
your  cross,  in  dependence  on  God  :  but  only  that 
you  be  more  concerned  to  get  your  spirit  to  bow 
and  ply^  than  to  get  the  crook  in  your  lot  evened. 

Motive  1.  It  is  far  more  needful  for  us  to  have 
our  spirits  humbled  under  the  cross,  than  to  have 
the  cross  removed.  The  re^noval  of  the  cross  is 
needful  only  for  the  ease  of  the  flesh,  the  humbling 
for  the  profit  of  our  souls,  to  purify  them  and  bring 
them  into  a  state  of  health  and  cure. 

2.  The  humbling  of  the  spirit  will  have  a  migh- 
ty good  effect  on  a  crossed  lot,  but  the  removal  of 
the  cross  will  have  none  on  the  unhumbled  spirit. 
The  humbling  will  lighten  the  cross  mightily  for 
the  time.  Matt.  xi.  30,  and  in  due  time  carry  it 
cleanly  off,  1  Pet.  v.  6.  But  the  removal  of  the 
cross  is  not  a  means  to  humbl*  the  unhumbled ; 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  lOi 

though  it  may  prevent  irritation,  yet  the  disease 
still  remains. 

3.  Think  with  yourselves  how  dangerous  and 
hopeless  a  case  it  is  to  have  the  cross  removed  ere 
the  spirit  is  humbled ,-  that  is  to  have  the  means  of 
cure  pulled  away,  and  blocked  up  from  us,  while 
the  power  of  the  disease  is  yet  unbroken  ;  to  be  ta- 
ken off  trials  ere  we  have  given  any  good  proof  of 
ourselves,  and  so  to  be  given  over  of  our  physician 
as  hopeless,  Isa.  i.  5.  Hos.  iv.  17. 

Use  3.  For  direction  ;  believing  the  gospel,  take 
God  for  your  God  in  Christ  towards  your  eternal 
salvation,  and  then  dwell  much  on  the  thoughts  of 
God's  greatness  and  holiness,  and  of  your  own  sin- 
fulness ;  so  will  ye  be  humbled  under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God;  and,  in  due  time,  he  will  lift  ijou  up. 


1   Peter  v.   6. 

Humble  yourselves  therefore  under  the  mighty  hand 
of  Gody  that  he  may  exalt  you  in  due  time* 

IN  the  preceding  part  of  this  chapter,  the  apostle 
presseth  the  duties  of  churth-officers  towards 
the  people ;  and  then  the  duty  of  the  people  both 
towards  their  officers  and  among  themselves,  which 
he  winds  up  in  one  word,  sub?mssion.  For  which 
causes  he  recommends  humility  as  the  great  means 
to  bring  all  to  their  respective  duties.  This  is  en- 
forced with  an  argument  taken  from  the  different 
treatment  the  Lord  gives  to  the  proud  and  the 
humble  j  his  opposing  himself  to  the  one  and  shew- 
I  2 


lot  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

ing  favour  to  the  other.  Our  text  is  an  exhorta* 
tion  drawn  from  that  consideration  ;  And  in  it  wc 
have, 

1*/.  The  duty  we  are  therefore  to  study :  hum- 
ble yourselves  therefore  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
Gody  that  he  may  exalt  you  in  due  time.  And  there- 
in we  may  notice, 

1.  The  state  of  those  whom  it  is  proposed  to, 
those  uTuler  the  mighty  handofGod^  whom  his  hand 
has  humbled,  or  stated  some  way  low  in  respect  oi 
their  circumstances  in  the  world.  And  by  these 
are,  I  think,  meant,  not  only  such  as  are  under 
particular  signal  afflictions^  which  is  the  lot  of 
some,  but  also  those,  who,  by  the  providence  ot 
God,  are  any  manner  of  way  lowered,  which  is  the 
lot  of  all.  All  being  in  a  state  of  submission  or 
dependence  on  others.  God  has  made  this  life  a 
state  of  trial;  and  for  that  cause  he  has,  by  his 
mighty  hand,  subjected  men  one  to  another,  as 
wives,  children,  sen'ants,  husbands,  parents, 
masters;  and  these  again  to  their  superiors;  a- 
mong  whom,  again,  even  the  highest  depends  on 
those  under  them,  as  magistrates,  ministers  on  the 
people,  even  the  supreme  magistrate  being  major 
siugulis^  viinor  wiivenis.  This  state  of  the  world 
God  has  made  for  taking, trial  of  men  in  their  sev- 
eral stations  and  dependence  on  others ;  and  there- 
fore, when  the  time  of  trial  is  over,  it  also  comes 
to  an  end.  "Then  cometh  the  end — when  we  shall 
•'have  put  down  all  rule,  and  authority,  and  pow- 
<'er,"  1  Cor.  xv.  24,  25.  Mean  time  while  it 
lasts,  it  makes  humility  necessary  to  all,  to  prompt 
them  to  the  duty  they  owe  their  superiors,  to  whom 
God's  mighty  hand  has  subjected  them. 

2.  The  duty  itself,  viz.  Humiliation  of  our  spirits 
under  the  humbling  circumstances  the  Lord  has 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  103 

placed  us  in.  Humble  yourselves  therefore  under 
the  mighty  hand  of  6od^  that  he  may  exalt  you  in 
due  time.  Whether  it  is  ire  are  under  particular 
afflictions,  which  have  cast  us  down  from  the 
height  we  were  sometimes  in,  or  whether  we  are 
only  inferiors  in  one  or  more  relations,  or  whether, 
which  is  most  common,  both  these  are  in  our  case, 
we  must  therein  eye  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  as 
that  which  placed  us  there,  and  is  over  us  there  to 
hold  us  down  in  it :  and  so,  with  an  awful  regard 
thereto,  crouch  down  under  it,  in  the  temper  and 
disposition  of  our  spirits,  suiting  our  spirits  to  our 
lot,  and  careful  of  performing  the  duty  of  our  low 
sphere. 

3.  A  particular  spring  of  this  duty ;  therefore 
we  must  consider,  that  those  who  cannot  quietly 
keep  the  place  assigned  them  of  God  in  their  af- 
flicti(^ns  or  relations,  but  still  press  up\rard  against 
the  mighty  hand  that  is  over  them,  that  mighty 
hand  resists  them,  throwing  them  down,  and  often 
farther  down  than  before ;  whereas  it  treats  them 
"with  grace  and  favour  that  compose  themselves 
under  it,  to  a  quiet  discharge  of  their  duty  in  their 
situation;  so  that  eyeing  this  we  must  set  our- 
selves to  humble  ourselves. 

2d^/y,  The  infallible  issue  of  that  course  ;  that  he 
?}iay  exalt  you  in  due  time.  The  particle  that^  is 
not  always  to  be  understood  inally,  as  denoting 
the  end  or  design  the  agent  proposes  to  himself, 
hut  sometimes  eventually  only,  as  denoting  the  e- 
Tent  or  issue  of  the  action,  John  ix.  2.  1  John  ii. 
19.  So  here,  the  m.Q2ii\m^\snot^  Humble  yourselves^ 
on  design  he  may  exalt  you  ;  but,  and  it  shall  issue 
in  his  exalting  you.     Compare  James  iv.  10. 

(1.)  Here  is  a  happy  event  of  humiliation  of  spi- 
rit secured,  and  that  is  exalt^on  or  lifting  up  on 


104  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

high,  by  the  power  of  God,  that  he  may  exalt  you* 
Exalting  will  as  surely  fwUow  on  humiliation  of 
spirit,  suitable  to  the  low  lot,  as  the  momipg  fol- 
lows the  night,  or  the  sui!  riseth  after  the  dawning. 
And  these  words  are  fitted  to  obviate  the  objection 
that  the  world  and  our  corrupt  hearts  are  apt  to 
make  against  bringing  down  the  spirit  to  the  low 
lot. 

Object.  1.  If  rue  let  our  spirit  fall^  toe  will  lie  a/- 
ivays  among  folks  feet^  and  they  will  trample  on 
us. 

Ans.  No ;  pride  of  spirit  unsubdued,  will  bring 
men  to  lie  among  the  feet  of  others  for  ever,  Isa. 
Ixvi.  24.  But  humiliation  of  spirit  will  bring  them 
undoubtedly  out  from  among  their  feet,  Mai.  iv. 
52,  3.  They  that  humble  themselves  now  will  be 
exalted  for  ever ;  they  will  be  brought  out  of  their 
low  situation  and  circumstances.  Cast  ye  your- 
selves even  down  with  your  low  lot,  and  assure 
yourselves  ye  shall  not  lie  there. 

Object.  2.  Jfwe  do  not  raise  ourselves,  none  will 
raise  us  ;  and  therefore  we  must  see  to  ourselves,  to 
do  ourselves  right. 

Ans.  That  is  wrong.  Humble  ye  yourselves  in 
respect  of  your  spirits,  and  God  will  raise  you^ip 
in  respect  of  your  lot,  or  low  condition  ;  and  they 
that  have  God  engaged  for  rg^sing  them,  have  no 
reason  to  say  they  have  none  to  do  it  for  them. 
Bringing  do-wn  of  the  spirit  is  our  duty,  raising 
us  up  is  God's  work  ;  let  us  not  forfeit  the  privi- 
lege of  God's  raising  us  up,  by  arrogating  that 
work  to  ourselves,  taking  it  out  of  his  hajid. 

Object.  3.  But  sure  we  will  never  rise  high,  if 
XV  2  let  our  spirits  fall. 

Ans.  That  is  wrong  too :  God  will  not  only  raise 
humble  ones,  but  he  will  lift  them  up  o?i  high ;  for 


The  Crook  in  the  LoU  tOS 

so  the  word  signifies.  They  shall  be  as  high  at 
length  as  ever  they  were  low,  were  they  ever  so 
low;  nay,  the  exaltation  will  bear  proportion  to 
the- humiliation. 

(2.)  Here  is  the  date  of  that  happy  event,  when 
it  will  fall  out.  In  due  time^  or  in  the  season,  the 
proper  season  for  it,  Gal.  vi.  9.  "  In  due  season 
"  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not."  We  arc  apt  to 
weaiy  in  humbling  trying  circumstances,  and  ay 
we  would  have  up  our  head,  John  vii.  6.  But 
Solomon  observes,  there  is  a  time  for  every  thing 
when  it  does  best,  and  the  wise  will  wait  it,  EccU 
iii.  1 — 8.  There  is  a  time  too  for  exalting  them 
that  humble  themselves ;  God  has  set  it,  and  it  is 
the  du  J  time  for  the  purpose,  the  time  when  it 
does  best,  even  as  sowing  in  the  spring,  and  reap- 
ing in  the  harvest.  When  that  time  comes,  your 
exalting  shall  no  longer  be  put  off,  and  it  would 
come  too  soon  should  it  come  before  that  time. 

DocT.  I.  The  bent  of  one's  hearty  in  humbiin^ 
circumstances,  shoidd  lie  towards  a  suitable 
humbling-  of  spirit,  as  under  God''s  mightij 
hand  placing  us  in  them.     We  have  here, 

I.  Some  things  supposed  in  this.  It  supposeth 
and  bears  in  it,  that, 

1.  God  brings  men  into  humbling  circumstan- 
ces, Ezek.  xvii.  24.  "And  all  the  trees  of  the 
**  field  shall  know,  that  I  the  Lord  have  brought 
**  down  the  high  tree."  There  is  a  root  of  pride  in 
the  hearts  of  all  men  on  earth ;  that  must  be  mor- 
tified ere  they  can  be  meet  for  heaven:  and  there- 
fore no  man  can  miss,  in  this  time  of  trial,  some 
things  that  will  giva  a  proof  whether  he  can  stoop 
or  no.     And  God  brings  them  into  humbling  cir- 


106  The  Crook  in  the  LoU 

cumstances  for  that  ver\'  end,  Deut.  viii.  2.  '""The 
"  Lord  thy  God  led  thee  these  forty  years  in  the 
"  wilderness,  to  humble  thee,  and  to  prove  thee, 
**and  to  know  what  was  in  thine  heart." 

2.  These  circumsances  prove  pressing'  at  a 
weight  on  th«  heart,  tending  to  bear  it  down,  Psal. 
cvii.  12.  "  Therefore  he  brought  down  their  heart 
"  with  labour." — They  strike  at  the  grain  of  the 
heart,  and  cross  the  natural  inclination :  whence  a 
trial  natiirally  ariseth,  whether,  when  God  lays  on 
his  mighty  hand,  the  man  can  yield  under  it,  or 
not ;  and  consequently,  whether  he  is  meet  for  hea- 
ven or  not* 

3.  The  heart  is  naturally  apt  to  rise  up  against 
these  humbling  circumstances,  and  consequently 
against  the  mighty  hand  that  brings  and  keeps 
them  on.  The  man  naturally  bends  his  force  to 
get  off  the  weight,  that  he  may  get  up  his  head, 
seeking  more  to  please  himself  than  to  please  his 
God,  Job  XXXV.  9,  10.  **They  cry  out  by  reason 
"  of  the  arm  of  the  mighty :  But  none  saith.  Where 
"is  God  my  Maker:"  This  is  the  first  gate  ihe 
heart  runs  to  in  humbling  circumstances ;  and  in 
this  way  the  unsubdued  spirit  holds  on. 

4.  But  what  God  requires,  is,  rather  to  labour 
to  bring  down  the  heart,  ihan  to  get  up  the  head, 
James  iv.  10.  Here  lies  the  proof  of  one's  meet- 
ness  for  heaven ;  and  then  is  one  in  the  way  hea- 
ven-ward, when  he  is  more  concerned  to  get  down 
his  heart  than  up  his  head,  to  go  calmly  under  his 
l^rden  than  to  get  it  off,  to  crouch  under  the  migh- 
ty hand  than  to  put  it  off  him. 

5.  There  must  be  a  noticing  of  God  as  our  par- 
ty, in  humbling  circumstances  ;  "  Hear  yc  the  rod, 
**  and  him  who  hath  appointed  it,"  Mic.  vi.  9. 
There  is  an  abjectness  of  spirit,  whereby  some 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  107 

give  up  themselves  to  the  will  of  others,  in  the 
harshest  treatment,  merely  to  please  them,  with- 
out regard  to  the  authority  and  command  of  God. 
This  is  real  meanness  of  spirit,  whereby  one  lies 
quietly  to  be  trampled  on  by  a  fellow-worm,  from 
its  imaginary  weight ;  and  none  so  readily  fall  into 
it  as  the  proud,  at  sometimes,  to  serve  their  own 
turn.  Acts  xii.  22.  These  are  men-pleasers,  Eph. 
vi.  6.  with  Gal.  i.  10. 

II.  What  are  these  humbling  circumstances  the 
mighty  hand  of  God  brings  them  into.  Suppo- 
sing here  what  was  before  taught  concerning  the 
crook  in  the  lot's  being  of  God's  making,  these 
are  circumstances, 

1.  Oi  imperfection.  God  has  placed  all  men  in 
such  circumstances  under  a  variety  of  wants  and 
imperfections,  Phil.  iii.  12.  We  can  look  no 
where,  where  we  are  not  beset  with  them.  There 
is  a  heap  of  natural  and  moral  imperfections  about 
us  :  our  bodies  and  our  souls,  in  all  their  faculties, 
are  in  a  state  of  imperfection.  The  pride  of  all 
glory  is  stained;  and  it  is  a  shame  for  us  not  to 
be  humbled  under  such  wants  as  attend  us  ;  it  is 
like  a  beggar  strutting  in  his  rags. 

2.  Of  inferiority  in  relations,  whereby  men  are 
set  in  the  lower  place  in  relations  and  society, 
and  made  to  depend  on  others,  2  Cor.  vii.  24. 
God  has,  for  a  trial  of  men's  submission  to  him- 
self, subjected  them  to  others  whom  he  has  set  o- 
ver  them,  to  discover  what  regard  they  will  pay 
to  his  authority  and  commands  at  second  hand. 
Dominion  or  superiority  is  a  part  of  the  divine 
image  shining  in  them,  1  Cor.  xi.  T.  And  there- 
fore reverence  of  them,  consisting  in  an  awful  re- 
gard to  that  ray  of  the  divine  image  shining  in 
them,  is  necessarily  required,  Eph.  v.   33.   Hcb. 


108  The  Crook  In  the  Loi. 

xii.  9»  compare  Psalm  cxi.  9.  The  tame  holds  lu 
all  other  relations  and  superiorities,  viz.  that  they 
are  so  far  in  the  place  of  God  to  their  relatives, 
Psalm  Ixxxii.  6.  And  though  the  parties  be 
worthless  in  themselves,  ihat  he  looseth  not  one 
Jrom  the  debt  to  them,  Acts  xxiii.  4,  5.  Kom. 
xiii.  7.  the  reason  is,  because  it  is  not  their  quali- 
ties, but  their  character,  which  is  the  ground  of 
that  debt  of  reverence  and  subjection  ;  and  the  tri- 
al God  takes  of  us  in  that  matter  turns  not  on  the 
point  of  the  former,  but  of  the  latter. 

Now,  God  having  placed  us  in  these  circumstan- 
ces of  inferiority,  all  refractoriness  in  all  things, 
not  contrary  to  the  command  of  God,  is  a  rising 
up  against  his  mighty  hand,  Rom.  xiii.  2.  because 
it  is  mediately  upon  us  for  that  effect,  though  it  is 
man's  hand  that  is  immediately  on  us. 

3.  0{ co?itradiction,  tending  directly  to  baulk  us 
of  our  will.  This  was  a  part  of  our  Lord's  state 
of  humiliation,  and  the  apostle  supposes  it  will  bt 
a  part  of  ours  too,  Hcb.  xii.  3.  There  is  a  per- 
feet  harmony  in  heaven,  no  one  to  contradict  ano- 
ther there  :  for  they  are  in  their  state  of  retribi- 
Vion  and  exaltation :  but  we  are  here  in  our^tat' 
of  trial  and  humiliation,  and  therefore  cannc 
miss  contradiction,  be  we  placed  ever  so  high. 

Whether  these  contradictions  be  just  or  unjust, 
God  tryiis  men  with  them  to  humble  them,  break 
them  off  from  addictedness  to  their  own  will,  and 
to  teach  them  resignation  and  self-denial.  They 
are  in  their  own  nature  humbling,  and  much  the 
iamc  to  us,  as  the  breaking  of  a  hone  or  a  bullock 
is  to  them.  And  I  believe  there  are  many  cases 
iR  which  there  can  be  no  accounting  for  them, 
but  by  recurring  to  this  use  God  has  for  them. 


The  Croak  in  the  Lou  109 

4.  Oi  affliction^  Prov.  xvi;  19.  Prosperity  puffs 
up  sinners  xvitk  pride ;  and,  O!  but  it  is  hard  to 
keep  a  low  spirit  with  a  high  and  prosperous  lot» 
But  God,  by  affliction,  calls  men  down  from  their 
heights  to  sit  in  the  dust,  plucks  away  their  jay- 
feathers  wherein  they  prided  themselves,  rubs  the 
paint  and  varnish  from  off  the  creature,  whereby 
it  appears  more  in  its  native  deformity.  There 
are  various  kinds  of  affliction,  some  more,  some 
less  humbling,  but  A\  of  them  are  humbling. 

Wherefore,  not  to  lower  the  spirit  under  the  af- 
fliction, is  to  pretend  to  rise  up  when  God  is  cast- 
ing and  holding  down,  with  a  witness  ;  and  can- 
not miss,  if  continued  in,  to  provoke  the  Lord  to 
breik  us  in  pieces,  Egek.  xxiv.  IZ.  For  the  af- 
flicting hand  is  mighty* 

5.  Of5/?z,  as  the  punishment  of  sin.  We  may 
allude  to  that,  Job  xxx.  19.  All  the  sin  in  the 
world  is  a  punishment  of  Adam's  first  sin.  Man 
threv/  himsclt  into  the  mire  at  first,  and  now  he 
is  justly  left  weltering  in  it.  Men  wilfully  make 
one  false  step,  and  for  that  cause  they  are  justly 
left  to  make  another  worse  ;  and  sin  hangs  about 
all,  even  the  best.  And  this  is  over-ruled  of  God 
for  our  humiliation,  that  v/e  may  be  ashamed,  and 
never  open  our  mouth  any  more.  Wherefore,  act 
to  be  humbled  undt^r  our  sinfulness,  is  to,mr»  up 
against  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  and  to  ju^itlfy  all 
our  sinful  departings  from  him,  ai  lost  to  all  sens^ 
of  duty,  and  void  of  shame. 

III.  What  it   is  in  humbling  circumstances,  to 
humble  ourselves  under  the  nuj^hty  hand  of  God, 
This  is  the  great  thing  to  be  a'med  at  in  ourhv'.ni 
hiding  circumsuuces.     And  w^^  m-.iv  take  -- 
these  eicrh:  thinT^s, 


no  The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  • 

1.  Noticing  the  mightii  hand,  as  employed  in 
bringing  about  cve»y  thing  that  conctnis  us,  ei- 
ther in  the  way  of  efficacy  or  permission,  1  Sam, 
iii.  18.  **  And  he  said,  It  is  the  Lord;  let  him 
"  do  what  seemeth  him  good."  2  Sam.  xvi.  10^ 
*'  And  the  king  said,  The  Lord  hath  said  unto 
'*  him,  Curse  David:  Who  shall  then  sav,  Where 
"  fore  hast  thou  done  so  ?"  H^  is  the  fountain  of 
all  perfection,  but  we  must  trace  our  imperfections  to 
his  sovereign  will.  It  is  he  that  has  posted  evc'ry 
one  in  their  relations  by  his  providence  ;  -without 
him  we  could  not  meet  with  such  contradictions  ; 
for,  "  the  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
"  as  the  rivers  of  water  :  he  lurneth  it  whiiher- 
*^  soever  he  pleaseth,"  f  rov.  xxi.  1.  lie  sends  on 
afflictions,  and  he  justly  punishes  one  sin  with  a- 
nother,  Isa.  vi.  10. 

2.  A  sense  of  our  own  worthless?7»ss  and  ?iO' 
thingness  before  him.  Psalm  cxliv.  3.  Looking  to 
the  infinite  Majesty  of  the  mighty  hand  dealing 
with  us,  v/e  should  say,  v/ith  Abraham,  Gen. 
xviii.  27.  "  Behold  I  am  but  clust  and  ashes  )" 
and  say  Amen  to  the  cry,  Isa.  xl.  6.  Allfcsh  is 
grasst  &c.  The  keeping  up  of  thoughts  c^  our 
own  excellency,  under  the  pressures  of  the  migh- 
ty  hand,  is  the  very  thing  that  swells  the  heart  in 
pride,  causing  it  to  rise  up  against  it.  And  it  is 
the  letting  of  all  such  thoughts  of  ourselves  fall  be- 
fore the  eyes  of  his  glory,  that  is  Uie  humbling  re- 
quired. ^ 

3-  A  sense  of  our  .§-?/i//  axidjilthuiess,  Rom.  iii. 
10.  Isa.  lx»v.  6.  The  mighty  hard  doth  not  press 
us  down,  but  as  sinners  ;  it  is  meet  then  that  un- 
der it  we  see  our  sinfulness ;  our  guilt,  whereby 
we  will  appear  criminals  justly  caused  to  suffer  . 
our  fiUhine&s,  wheieupoa  vre  anay  be  brought  t^ 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  Ill 

:othe  ourselves  ;  and  then  we'l^  think  nothing  lays 
us  lower  than  we  well  deserve.  It  is  the  overlook- 
ing our  sinfulness  that  suffers  the  proud  heart  to 
:^well. 

4.  A  silent  submission  under  the  hand  of  God. 
His  sovereignty  challengeth  this  of  us,  Rom.  ix. 
20.  "  Nay  but,  O  man,  who  art  thou  that  repli- 
^' est  against  God?'' — And  nothing  but  unsubdu- 
ed height  and  pride  of  spirit  can  allow  us  to  an- 
swer again  under  the  sovereign  hand.  A  view  of 
the  sovereign  hand  humbled  and  awed  the  Psalm- 
ist into  a  submission,  with  a  profound  silence, 
Psalm  xxxix.  9.  "I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my 
"  mouth  ;  because  thou  didst  it." — Job  i.  21. '"  The 
"  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away;  bles- 
''  sed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." — And  xl.  4,  5. 
"  What  shall  I  answer  thee?  I  will  lay  my  hand 
"  upon  my  mouth.  Once  have  I  spoken,  but  I 
"  will  not  answer :  vea,  twice,  but  I  will  proceed 
"  no  further."  And  Eli,  1  Sam.  iii.  18.  "  It  is 
"  the  Lord ;  let  him  do  what  scemeth  him  good."' 

5.  A  magnifying  of  his  mercies  towards  us  in 
the  midst  of  all  his  proceedings  against  us,  Psalm 
cxliv.  3.  Has  he  laid  us  low?  If  we  be  duly  hum- 
bled we  will  wonder  he  has  laid  us  no  lower,  Ezra 
ix.  13.  For,  however  low  the  humble  are  laid, 
they  will  see  they  are  not  yet  so  low  as  their  sins 
deserve,  Lam.  iii.  22. 

6.  A  holy  and  silent  admiration  of  the  ways  and 
counsels  of  God,  as  to  us  unsearchable,  Rom.  xi. 
33.  Pride  of  heart  thinks  nothing  too  high  for 
the  man,  and  so  arraigns  before  its  tribunal  the 
divine  proceedings,  pretends  to  see  thro'  them, 
censures  freeh'  and  condemns ;  but  humiliation  of 
spirit  disposes  a  man  to  think  awfully  and  honour- 
ably of  the  mysteries  of  Providence  he  is  not  able 
to  see  through. 


1 1 2  7 he  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

7.  A  forgetting  and  laying  aside  before  the  Lord 
all  our  diq}iitij^  whereby  we  excel  others,  Rev.  iv. 
10.  Pride  feeds  itself  on  the  man's  real  or  ima- 
ginar}^  personal  excellency  and  dignity,  and,  being 
so  inured  to  it  before  others,  cannot  forget  it  be- 
fore God.  Luke  xviii.  11.  "  God,  I  thank  thee 
"  I  am  not  as  other  men."  But  humiliation  of 
spirit  makes  it  all  to  evanish  before  him  as  doth 
the  shadow  before  the  shining  sun,  and  it  lays  the 
man  in  his  own  eyes,  lower  than  any.  '*  Surely  I 
*' am  more  brutish  than  any  man,  and  have  not 
*^the  understanding  of  a  man."  Prov.  xxx.  2. 

8.  A  submitting  readily  to  the  meanest  offices  re- 
quisite  in,  or  agteeablc  to  our  circumstances.  Pride 
at  ever)'  turn  finds  something  that  is  below  the 
man  to  condescend  or  stoop  to,  measuring  by  his 
own  mind  and  will,  not  by  the  circumstances  God 
has  placed  him  in.  But  humility  measures  by  the 
circumstances  one  is  placed  in,  and  readily  falls  in 
irith  what  they  require.  Hereof  our  Saviour  gave 
us  an  example,  (Phil.  ii.  8.  "  He  humbled  him- 
*'  self,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,")  to  be 
imitated,  John  xiii.  14.  *'  If  I  theii  your  L^d 
*'  and  Master  have  washed  your  feet,  ye  ought  al- 
**  so  to  wash  one  another's  feet." 

Use*  Of  exhortath?i.  Lctyjhe  bent  of  your  heart 
ihen,  in  all  your  hunibling  circumstances,  be  to- 
wards the  humbling  of  your  spirit,  as  under  the 
mighty  hand  of  God.     This  lies  in  two  things. 

1.  Carefully  notice  g// your  humbling  circiun- 
stances,  and  overlook  none  of  them.  Observe 
your  imperfections  ;  inferiority  in  relations  ;  con- 
tradictions you  meet  with ;  your  afflictions  ;  uncer- 
taintj"  of  all  things  about  you ;  and  your  sinful- 
ness.— Look  thro'  them  designedly,  and  consider 
the  steps  of  the  9onduct  of  Proviclcr.cc  towards 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  113 

3^ou  in  these,  that  ye  may  know  yourselves,  and 
may  not  be  strangers  at  home,  blind  to  your  o%vn 
real  state  and  case. 

2.  Observing  what  thes€  circumstances  do  re- 
^uire  of  you,  as  suitable  to  them  ;  bend  your  en- 
deavours towards  it,  to  bring  your. spirits  into  the 
temper  of  humiliation,  that  as  your  lot  is  really 
low  in  all  these  respects,  so  your  spirits  may  be 
low  too,  as  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God.  Let 
this  be  your  great  aim  through  your  M^hole  life, 
and  your  exercise  every  day. 

Idotive  1.  God  is  certainly  at  work  to  humble 
one  and  all  of  us.  However  high  any  are  lifted 
up  in  this  world,  Providence  has  hung  certain 
badges  for  humiliation  on  them,  whether  they  will 
notice  them  or  not,  Isa.  xl.  6.  Now,  it  is  our  du- 
ty to  fall  in  with  the  design  of  Providence,  that 
while  God  is  humbling  us,  we  may  be  humbling 
ourselves,  and  that  we  may  not  receive  humbling 
dispensations  in  vain. 

2.  The  humiliation  of  our  spirit  will  not  take 
effect  without  our  own  agency  therein  ;  vrhile  God 
is  working  on  us  that  way,  we  must  work  together 
v/ith  him,  for  he  works  on  us  as  rational  agents, 
who  being  moved,  move  themselves,  Phil.  ii.  12, 
13,  Ciod  by  his  providence  may  force  down  our 
lot  and  condition  without  us,  but  the  spirit  must 
come  down  voluntarily  and  of  choice,  or  not  at 
all ;  therefore,  strike  in  with  humbling  providen- 
ces in  humbling  yourselves,  as  mariners  spread 
out  the  sails  when  the  wind  begins  to  blow,  that 
they  may  go  away  before  it. 

3.  If  ye  do  not,  ye  resist  the  mighty  hand  oi' 
God,  Acts  vii.  51.  Ye  resist  in  so  far  as  ye  da 
^.ot  vield,  hut  stand  a':  a  rock  keening  vour  grcun-x 

'  /  ..  K  2 


114  i'ite  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

against  your  iVIaker  in  humbling  providences,  Jer. 
V.  3.  '*  Thou  hast  stricken  them,  but  they  have 
*'  not  grieved  ;  thou  hast  consumed  them,  but  they 
"  have  refused  to  receive  correction.  Tliey  have 
**  made  their  faces  harder  than  a  rock  ;  they  have 
*•''  refused  to  return."  JMuch  more  v.- hen  ye  work 
against  him  to  force  up  your  condition,  which  we 
may  see  God  means  to  hold  doAvn.  And  of  this 
resistance  consider, 

(1.)  The  sinfulness ;  what  an  evil  thiffg  it  is.  It 
is  a  direct  fighting  against  God,  a  sliaking  off  of 
subjection  to  our  sovereign  Lord,  and  a  rising  in 
rebellion  against  him,  Isa.  xlv.  9. 

(2.)  Th^foliij  of  it.  How  unequal  is  the  match  ? 
How  can  the  struggle  end  well  ?  Job  ix.  4.  What 
else  can  possibly  be  the  issue  of  the  potsherd*s  of 
the  earth  dashing  against  the  Rock  of  ages,  but 
that  they  be  broken  to  pieces  ?  We  may  say,  as 
Job  xli.  8.  All  men  musr  certainly  bow  or  break 
under  the  mighty  hand. 

4.  This  is  the  time  of  humiliation,  even  the 
time  of  this  life.  Every  thing  ic  beautiful  in  its 
^eoson';  and  the  bringing  down  of  the  spirit  now 
is  beautiful,  as  in  the  time  thereof,  even  al  the 
plowing  and  sowing  of  the  ground  is  in  the  spring. 
Consider, 

(1.)  Humiliation  of  spirit  is  in  the  sight  cfGod 
of  great  prrce^  1  Pet.  iii.  4.  As  he  has  a  special  n- 
version  to  pride  of  heart,  he  has  a  special  liking  of 
humility,  chap,  v.  5.  The  humbling  of  sinners, 
and  bringing  them  doM'n  from  their  heights, 
wherein  the  corruption  of  their  nature  has  set 
them,  is  the  great  end  of  his  word,  and  of  \\i%  pro- 
vidence. 

(2.)  It  is  no  easy  thing  to  humble  men's  spirits  ; 
his  not  little  that  will  do  itj  it  is  a  work  that  is 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  115 

not  soon  done.  There  is  need  of  a  digging  deep 
for  a  thorough  humiliation  in  the  work  of  conver- 
sion, Luke  vi.  48.  ?i4rany  a  stroke  must  be  given  at 
the  root  of  the  tree  of  the  natural  pride  of  the  heart 
ere  it  fall;  oft-times  it  seems  to  be  fallen,  and  yet 
it  arises  again.  And,  even  when  the  root-stroke  is 
given  in  believers,  the  rod  of  pride  buds  again,  so 
that  there  is  still  occasion  for  new  humbling  work. 

(3.)  The  whole  time  of  this  life  is  appointed 
for  humiliation.  This  was  signified  by  the  forty 
veavs  the  Israelites  had  in  the  wilderness,  Deut. 
viii.  2.  It  was  so  to  Christ,  and  therefore  it  must 
be  so  to  men,  Heb.  xii.  2.  And  in  that  time  they 
must  either  be  formed  according  to  his  image,  or 
else  appear  as  reprobate  silver  that  will  not  take  it 
on  by  any  means,  Rom.  viii.  29.  So  that  whatever 
lifting  up  men  may  now  and  then  get  in  this  life, 
the  habitual  course  of  it  will  still  be  humblino:. 

(4.)  There  is  no  hum])ling  after  this,  Rev.  :;x:i. 
11.  If  the  pride  of  the  heart  be  not  brought  down 
in  this  life,  it  will  never  be  ;  no  kindly  humilia- 
tion is  to  be  expected  in  the  other  life.  There  the 
proud  will  be  broken  in  pieces,  but  not  softened  ; 
iheir  lot  and  condition  will  be  brought  to  the  low- 
est pass,  but  the  unhunibleness  of  their  spirits  will 
still  remain,  whence  they  v/ill  be  in  eternal  ago- 
nies, through  the  opposition  betwixt  their  spirits 
and  lot,  Kev.  xvi.  21. 

Wherefore,  beware  lest  ye  sit  your  time  of  hu- 
miliation: humbled  we  must  be,  or  we  are  gone 
for  ever  ;  and  this  is  the  time,  the  only  time  of  it ; 
therefore,  make  your  hay  while  the  sun  shines  ; 
strike  in  vrith  humbling  providences,  and  fight  not 
against  them  while  ye  have  them,  Acts  xiii.  41. 
The  season  cf  grace  will  not  last;  if  ^-e  fleep  in 
seed-time,  ye  '\ill  beg  in  hrnrec-t. 


1 1 G  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

5.  This  is  the  way  to  turn  humbling  circum- 
stances to  a  good  account ;  so  that  instead  of  be- 
ing losers,  ye  would  be  gainers  !)y  them,  Psalm 
cxix.  71.  '^  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  af- 
"  flictf  d.*'  Would  ye  gather  grapes  of  these  thorns 
and  thistles,  set  yourselves  to  get  your  spirits 
humbled  by  them. 

(1.)  Humiliation  of  spirit  is  a  most  valuable 
thing  in  itself,  Prov.  xvi.  32.  It  cannot  be  bought 
too  dear.  -Whatever  one  is  made  to  suffer,  if  his 
spirit  is  thereby  duly  brought  down,  he  has  what 
is  well  worth  bearing  all  the  hardship  for,  1  Pet. 
iii.  4. 

(2.)  Humility  of  spirit  brings  m2iny  advantages 
along  with  it.  It  is  a  fruitful  bough,  well  loaden, 
wherever  it  is.  It  contributes  to  one's  ease  under 
the  cross,  Matt.  xi.  30.  Lam,  iii.  27,  28,  29.  It 
is  a  sacrifice  particularly  acceptable  to  God,  Psalm 
li.  17.  The  eye  of  God  is  particularly  on  such  for 
good,  Isa  Ixvi.  2.  "To  this  man  will  I  look,  even 
"  to  him  that  is  poor,  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and 
*'  trcmblcth  at  my  word."  Yea,  he  dwells  with 
them,  Isa.  Ivii.  15.  And  it  carries  a  line  of  wis- 
dom through  one's  whole  conduct,  Prov.  xi*  2. 
''  With  the  lowly  is  wisdom." 

Lastlif^  Consider  it  as  a  mighty  hand  that  is  at 
work  with  us;  the  hand  of  the  mighty  God;  let 
us  then  bend  our  spirits  towards  a  compliance 
with  it,  and  not  wrestle  against  it.     Consider, 

(l.(  We  must  fall  ?.'/ir/e?r  it.  Since  the  design  of 
it  is  to  bring  us  down,  we  cannot  stand  before  it  ; 
for  it  cannot  miscarry  in  its  designs,  Isa  xlvi.  10. 
"  My  counsel  shall  stand."  So,  fall  before  it  we 
must,  either  in  the  way  of  duty  or  judgment,  Psal. 
.xlv.  5.  "  Ti'.ine  arrows  are  sharp  in  the  heart  of 
*''  the  king's  encn::.' .  ■\T'h?rcbv  the  pcdple  fall  ur 
''  ricr  thee."' 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  IIT 

(2.)  They  that  are  so  wise  as  to  fall  in  humilia- 
tion under  the  mighty  hand,  be  they  ever  so  low, 
the  same  hand  will  raise  them  up  again,  James  iv- 
10.  In  a  word,  be  the  proud  ever  so  high,  God 
will  bring  them  down  :  be  the  humble  ever  so  low, 
God  will  raise  them  up. 

Directions  for  reaching  this  humtUatioju 

I.  General  Directions. 

Direct.  1.  Fix  it  in  your  heart  to  seek  some 
spiritual  improvement  of  the  conduct  of  Provi- 
dence towards  you,  Micah  vi.  9.  Till  once  your 
lieart  get  a  set  that  way,  your  humiliation  is  not  to 
be  expected.  Hosea  xiv.  9.  But  nothing  is  more 
reasonable,  if  we  would  act  either  like  men  or 
Christians,  than  to  aim  at  turning  what  is  so  griev- 
ous to  the  flesh  unto  the  profit  of  the  spirit;  that, 
if  we  are  losers  at  one  hand,  we  may  be  gainers  at 
^another. 

2.  Settle  the  matter  of  your  eternal  salvation, 
in  the  first  place,  by  betaking  yourself  to  Christ, 
and  taking  God  for  your  God  in  him,  according 
to  the  gospel-offer,  Hosea  ii.  19.  Heb.  viii.  10. 
Let  your  humbling  circumstances  move  you  to 
this,  that  while  the  creature  dries  up,  you  may  go 
to  the  Fountain  :  for  it  is  impossible  to  reach  due 
humiliation  under  the  mighty  hand,  without  faith 
in  him  as  vour  God  and  friend,  Heb.  xi.  6.  1  John 

V.  19. 

3.  Use  the  means  of  soul-humbling  in  the  faith 
of  the  promise.  Psalm  xxviii.  7.  Moses  smiting 
the  rock  in  faith  of  the  promise,  made  water  gush 
<>ut,  which  otherwise  would  not  at  all  appeare'3, 
T.et  us  do  likewise   in  dealing  with   our  rocky 


118  The  Crook  in  the  Lot: 

hearts.'  They  must  be  laid  on  the  soft  bed  of  the 
gospel,  and  struck  there,  as  Jod  ii.  13.  '*  Turn  to 
'•''  the  Lord  your  God,  for  he  is  gracious  and  mer- 
"  ciful :"  or  they  will  never  kindly  break  or  fall 
in  humiliation. 

II.   Particular  Directions. 

1.  Assure  yourselves  that  there  are  no  circum- 
stances so  humbling  that  you  are  in,  but  you  may- 
get  your  heart  acceptably  brought  down  to  them. 
,1  Cor.  X.  13.  '^  But  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not 
**  suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  what  ye  are  ablc» 
"  but  will  with  the  temptation  also  make  a  way 
**  to  escape,  that  ye  Aiay  be  able  to  bear  it."  This 
is  truth,  1  Cor.  xii.  9.  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
'*  thee  ;  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  wcak- 
"  ness.''  And  you  would  be  persuaded  of  it,  witl 
application  to  yourselves,  if  ever  you  would  reach 
the  end.     Phil.  iv.  13.  '*  I  can  do  all  things  thro* 
*'  Christ  which  strengtheneth   me."     God  allow^ 
you  to  be  persuaded  of  it,  whatever  is  your  weak 
ness  and  the  difficulty  of  the  task.     "  For  your 
*'  sakes  this  is  written,  that  he  that  ploweth  should 
"  plow    in  hope ;  and   that  he  that   thresheth  in 
"  hope,  should  be  partaker  of  his  hope,"  1  Cor.  ix. 
10.     And  the  belief  thereof  is  a  piece  of  the  lif 
of  faith,  2  Tim.  ii.  1.   If  you  have  no  hope  of  suc- 
cess, your  endeavours,  as  they  will  be  heartless,  so 
they  will  be  vain.  "  Whi-^refore   lift  up  the  hanu 
"  that  hang  down,  ?.nd  the   feeble   knees,"   Hcb 
xii.  12. 

2.  Whatever  hand  is,  or  is  not,    in  )our  hum- 
bling circumstances,  do  vou  take  God  for  your  pai 
ty,  and  consider  yourselves  therein   as   under  his 
mighty  hand,  Micah  vi.  0.  Men  in  their  humbling 


Tkc  Crook  in  the  Lot.  119 

circumstances  overlook   God ;  so   they   iind   not 

themselves  called  to  humility  under  them ;  they 

fix  their  eyes  on  the  creature  instrument,  and,  in- 

^,,  stead  of  humility,  their  hearts  rise.     But  take  him 

)    for  your  party,  that  ye  may  remember  the  battle, 

^     and  do  no  more,  Job  xii.  G. 

3.  Be  much  in  the  thoughts  of  God's  infinite 
greatJiess :  consider  his  holiness  and  m.ajesty,  fit 
to  awe  you  into  deepest  humiliation,  Isa.  vi-  3,  4, 
.*?,  Job  met  with  many  humbling  providences  in 
his  case,  but  he  was  never  sufficient) v  humbled  un- 
r  der  them,  till  the  Lord  made  a  nev/  discover}'  of 
himself  unto  him,  in  his  innnite  mnjesty  and  great- 
ness. He  kept  his  ground  against  his  friends,  and 
stood  to  his  points,  till  the  Lord  took  that  method 
V.  ith  him.  It  was  begun  with  thunder.  Job  xxxvii. 
1,  2.  Ihen  followed  God's  voice  out  of  the  whirl- 
V,  ind,  chap,  xxxviii.  1.  whereon  Job  is  brought 
down,  chap.  xl.  4,  5.  It  is  renev/ed  till  he  is  far- 
ther humbled,  chap.  xlii.  5,  6.  *'  v\  hcrefore  I  ab- 
^'  hor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes." 

4.  Inure  yourselves  silently  to  admit  mysteries 
in  the  conduct  of  Providence  towards  you,  which 
vou  are  not  able  to  comprehend,  but  will  adore, 
i'ipm.  xi.  33.   "  O  t'le  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of 
'  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God!  how  un- 
^  searchable  are  hi.s  judgments,  and  his  ^a  ays  past 
'  fmding  out!"  That  was  the  first  word  God  said 
:o  Job,   xxxviii.  2.  **  Who  is  i,his  that  darkeneth 
•  counsel  by  v/ords  without  knowled2:e  r"  It  took 
him  by  the  heart,  $iuck  with  him,  and  he  comes 
over  it  again,  chap.  xlii.  3.  as  that  which  particu- 
larly brought  him  to  his  knees,  to  the  dust.    Even 
in  those  steps  of  Providence,  which  we  seem  to 
see  far  into,  v:e  may  well  allow  there  are  some  my- 
.^teries  beyord  what  we  see.     And  in  those  which 


1 20  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

are  perplexing  and  puzzling,  sovereignty  should  si- 
lence us  ;  his  infinite  wisdom  should  satisfy,  tho' 
we  cannot  see. 

5*  Be  much  in  the  thoughts  of  your  own  si7i' 
fulness^  Job  xl.  4.  "  Behold  I  am. vile,  what  shall 
*'  I  answer  thee  ?  I  will  lay  mine  hand  upon  my 
"  mouth."  It  is  overlooking  of  that  which  gives 
us  so  much  ado  with  humbling  circumstances- 
While  the  eyes  are  held  that  they  cannot  see  sin, 
the  heart  riseth  against  them  ;  but  when  they  are 
opened,  it  falls.  Wherefore,  whenever  God  is 
dealing  with  you  in  humbling  dispensations,  turn 
your  eyes,  upon  that  occasion,  on  the  sinfulness  of 
our  nature,  heart,  and  life,  and  that  will  help  for- 
ward your  humiliation. 

6.  Settle  it  in  your  heart,  that  there  is  need  of 
all  the  humbling  circumstances  you  are  put  in. 
This  is  truth,  1  Pet.  i.  6.  "  Though  now  for  a  sea- 
''  son  (if  need  be)  ye  are  in  heaviness  through 
''manifold  temptations."  God  brings  no  need- 
less trials  upon  us,  afflicts  none  but  as  their  need 
lequircs,  Lam.  iii.  33.  "•  For  he  doth  not  afllict 
''  willingly,  nor  grii^ve  the  children  of  men."  That 
is  an  observable  difference  betwixt  our  earthly  and 
iisavenlyFadicr's correction,  Hcb.xii.  10.  "They, 
'^  after  their  own  pleasure^  but  he  for  cur  profit, 
*'  that  we  might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness."  Look 
to  the  temper  of  your  own  hearts  and  nature,  how 
apt  to  be  lift  up,  forget  God,  carried  away  willi  the 
vanities  of  the  world  ;  what  foolishness  is  bound 
up  in  your  heart.  Thus  you  will  see  the  need  of 
humbling  circumstances  for  bdlast,  and  of  the  rod 
for  the  fool's  back  ;  and  if  at  any  time  you  cannot 
see  that  need,  believe  it  on  the  ground  of  God\- 
'nr^-**-  i>  '--v^ir),  that  docs  nothing  -n  vr.in. 


The  Crook  hi  the  Lot,  l21 

jr.  Believe  a  kind  design  of  Providence  in  thenfi 
towards  yoa.  God  calls  us  to  this,  as  the  key  that 
opens  the  heart  under  them,  Rev.  iii.  19.  Satan 
suggests  suspicions  to  the  contrar}%  as  the  bar 
which  may  hold  it  shut,  2  Kings  vi.  33.  "  This  e- 
*'  vil  is  of  the  Lord,  what  should  I  wait  for  the 
"  Lord  any  longer  ?"  As  long  as  the  suspicions  ot 
an  ill  design  in  them  against  us  reigns,  the  crea- 
ture will,  like  the  worm  at  the  man's  feet,  put  it 
self  in  the  best  posture  of  defence  it  can,  and  hard- 
en itself  in  soitow  :  but  the  faith  of  a  kind  design 
will  cause  it  open  out  itself  in  humility  before 
liim. 

Case.  '  O  !  If  I  knew  there  were  a  kind  design 

*  in   it,  I  would  willingly  bear  it,  although  there 

*  were  more  of  it ;  but  I  fear  a  ruining  design  of 
^  Providence  agairstme  therein' 

Ans»  Now,  what  word  of  God,  or  discover}'  from 
heaven,  have  you  to  ground  these  fears  upon  ? 
None  at  all,  but  from  hell,  1  Cor.  x.  13.  \Miat 
think  you  the  design  towards  you  in  the  gospel  is  ? 
Can  you  believe  no  kind  design  towards  you  in  all 
the  words  of  grace  there  heaped  up  neither  ?  What 
is  that,  I  pray,  but  black  unbelief  in  its  hue  of  hell, 
Tsa.  Iv.  1.  flying  in  the  face  of  the  truth  of  God, 
and  making  him  a  liar,  1  John  v.  10,  11.  The 
gospel  is  a  breathing  of  love  and  good  will  to  the 
world  of  mankind  sinners,  lit.  ii.  11.  iii.  4.  1  John 
iv.  14.  John  iii.  17.  But  ye  believe  it  not,  in  that 
case,  more  tlian  devils  believe  it.  But  if  ye  can 
believe  a  kind  design  there,  ye  must  believe  it  in 
your  humbling  circumstances  too  ;  for  the  design 
of  Providence  cannot  be  contrary  to  the  design  of 
the  gospel;  but  contrarywise  the  latter  is  to  help 
forward  to  the  other. 

L 


\2%  The  Crook  tn  the  Lot. 

8.  Think  witli  yourselves,  that  this  life  is  the 
time  of /r/V// for  heaven,  James  i.  12.  "  Bltssed 
*'  is  the  man  that  endure th  temptation  ;  for  when 
"he  is  tried^  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life, 
*•  which  the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love 
"'  him."  And  therefore  there  should  be  a  wel- 
coming of  humbling  circumstances  on  that  view, 
ver.  2.  '*  Count  it  all  joy  when  you  fall  into  di- 
"  vers  temptations."  It  there  is  an  honourable 
office,  or  beneficial  employment  to  be  bestowed, 
men  strive  to  be  taken  on  trials  for  it,  in  hope  they 
may  be  thereupon  legdly  admitted  to  it.  Now 
God  takes  trial  of  men  for  heaven  bv  humbling 
circumstances,  as  the  v/hole  Bible  teacheth ;  and 
shall  men  be  so  very  loth  to  stoop  to  them  ?  I 
v/ould  ask  you, 

(1.)  Is  it  nothing  to  you  to  stand  a  candidate 
for  glory,  to  be  put  on  trials  for  heaven?  Is  there 
not  an  honour  in  it,  an  honour  which  all  the-  saints 
have  had?  Jam.  v.  11.  *'  Behold  we  count  them 
*•'  happy  that  endure,"  ccc  And  a  fiiir  prospect  in 
it,  2  Cor.  iv.  17.  ""  For  our  light  aflliction,  which 
**  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  mQrc 
"  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glor}.'*  Do 
but  put  the  case,  God  should  overlook  you  in  that 
case,  as  one  whom  it  is  needless  ever  to  try  on 
ihat  head ;  that  lie  should  order  your  portion  in 
this  life  v/ith  full  ease,  as  one  ihat  is  to  get  no  more 
of  him  ;  what  would  that  be  ? 

(2.)  V\'hat  a  vast  disproportion  is  there  between 
your  trials  and  the  glory  ?  Your  most  humbling; 
circumstances,  how  light  are  they  in  comparison 
of  the  \veir;ht  of  it  ?  The  longest  continued  cf  the m 
are  but  for  a  moment,  compared  with  the  etermd 
weight.  Alas!  tiiere  is  much  unbelief  at  the  root 
s>f  ;4ii  <i>vi^  'j'>frus'n'"€i>  unJf.;-  our  h'j.nL.ljnr  circum- 


4C 


The  Crook  in  the  Loi.  12i3 

atanccs.  Had  we  a  clearer  view  of  the  oilier  world, 
we  would  not  make  so  much  of  either  the  smiles 
or  frowns  of  this. 

(3.)  What  think  ye  of  coming  foul  off  the  trial 
of  your  humbling  circumstances  :  Jer.  vi.  29,  30» 
*'  The  lead  is  consumed  of  the  fire ;  the  founder 
*'  melteth  in  vain ;  for  the  wicked  are  not  plucked 
away.  Reprobate  silver  shall  men  call  them, 
because  the  Lord  hath  rejected  them."  That 
tlie  issue  of  it  be  only,  that  your  heart  appear  of 
such  a  temper  as  by  no  means  to  be  humbled  ;  imd 
that  therefore  5'oumust  and  shall  be  taken  off  them, 
while  yet  no  humbling  appears.  I  think  the  aw- 
fulness  of  the  dispensation  is  such,  as  might  set  us 
to  our  knees  to  deprecate  the  lifting  us  up  from 
our  humbling  circumstances,  ere  our  hearts  are 
humbled,  Isa.  i.  5.  Ezek.  xxiv.  13. 

9.  Think  with  yourselves,  how  it  is  by  humbling 
circumstances  the  Lord  prepares  us  for  heaven. 
Col.  i.  12.  Giving-  thanks  unto  the  Father^  who 
hath  made  us  ?nect  to  be  made  partakers  of  the  in- 
heritance  of  the  saints  in  light,  with  2  Cor.  v.  5. 
The  stones  and  timber  are  laid  down,  turned  over 
and  over,  and  hewed,  ere  they  be  set  up  in  the 
building;  and  not  just  set  up  as  they  come  out  of 
the  quarry^  and  wood.  Were  they  capable  of  a 
choice,  such  of  them  as  would  refuse  the  iron  tool 
would  be  refused  a  place  in  the  building.  Pray, 
how  think  ye  to  be  made  meet  for  heaven,  by  the 
warm  sunshine  of  this  world's  ease,  and  getting  all 
your  will  here?  Nay,  birs,  that  would  put  your 
mouth  out  of  taste  for  the  joys  of  the  other  world- 
Vessels  of  dishonour  are  futed  for  destruction  that 
way  ;  but  vessels  of  honour  for  glory  by  humbling^ 
circumstances,     I  would  here  say. 


124  The  Crook  la  the  Lot. 

(1.)  Will  nothing  please  yoa  but  tiDo  heavens, 
one  here,  another  hereafter?  God  has  secured  one 
heaven  for  the  saints,  one  place  where  they  shall 
get  all  their  will,  wish,  and  desire  ;  where  there 
shall  be  no  weight  on  them  to  hold  them  down  j 
and  that  is  in  the  other  world.  But  ye  must  have  it 
both  here  and  there,  or  ye  cannot  digest  it.  Why 
do  ye  not  quarrel  too  that  there  are  not  tvv-o  sum- 
mers in  one  year  ;  two  days  in  twenty-four  hours  ? 
The  order  of  the  one  heaven  is  as  firm  as  tha:  of 
the  years  and  days,  andye  will  rot  reverse  it:  there- 
fore, chuse  ye  whether  you  will  take  your  night  or 
your  day  first,  your  winter  or  your  summer,  your 
heaven  here  or  hereafter. 

(2.)  Without  being  humbled  with  humbling  cir- 
cumstances in  this  life,  ye  are  not  capable  of  hea- 
ven, 2  Cor.  V.  5.  "  Now,  he  that  hath  wrought 
'*  us  for  the  self-same  thing  is  God  "  Ye  may  in- 
deed lie  at  ease  here  in  a  bed  of  sloth,  rnd  dveam 
of  heaven,  big  with  hopes  of  a  fool's  paradise,  wish- 
ing to  cast  yourselves  just  out  of  Delilah's  lap  in 
Abraham's  bosom  \  but  without  ye  be  humbled  ye 
are  not  capable. 

(1.)  Of  the  J5i^/e-heaven,  that  heaven  described 
in  the  Old  and  New  Testament.  Is  not  that  hea- 
ven a  lifting  up  in  due  time  ?  But,  how  shall  ye  be 
lifted  up  that  are  never  well  got  down  ?  Where 
will  your  tears  be  to  be  wiped  away?  What  place 
will  there  be  for  your  triumph,  that  will  not  fight 
the  good  fight?  How  can  it  be  a  rest  to  you,  who 
cannot  away  with  labour  ? 

y  (2.)  Ofthe^a^V^f*' heaven,  Rev.  vii.  14.  "And 
"  he  said  unto  me,  These  are  they  which  came  out 
"  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes 
*'  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.** 
This  answers  the  question  anent  Abraham,  Isaac 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  125 

and  Jacob,  and  all  the  saints  with  them  there  :  they 
were  brought  down  to  the  dust  with  humbling  cir- 
cumstances, and  out  of  these  they  came  to  before 
the  throne.  How  can  ye  ever  think  to  be  lifted 
up  with  them,  with  whom  ye  cannot  think  to  be 
brought  down  ? 

(3.)  Oi  Christ's  heaven,  Heb.  xii.  2.  "Who 
^'for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him,  endured  the 
**  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is  now  set  down 
*'  at  the  right  hand  of  God."  O !  consider  how 
the  Forerunner  made  his  way,  Luke  xxiv.  26. 
*'  Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered  these  things, 
^'  and  to  enter  into  his  glory:"  And  lay  your  ac- 
counts with  it,  that  if  ye  get  where  he  is,  ye  must 
go  thither  as  he  went,  Luke  ix.  23.  "-  And  he 
*'  said.  If  any  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny 
"  himself^  and  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  foUov/ 
^'me.''    ' 

10.  Give  up  at  length  with  your  towering  hopes 
from  this  world,  and  confine  them  to  the  world  to 
come.  Be  as  pilgrims  and  strangers  here,  looking 
for  your  rest  in  heaven,  and  not  till  ye  come  there. 
There  is  a  prevaihng  evil,  Isa.  Ivii.  10.  *'  Thou 
"  art  wearied  in  the  greatness  of  thy  way :  yet 
"  saidst  thou  not.  There  is  no  hope."  So  the  Ba- 
bel-building is  still  continued,  though  it  has  fallen 
down  again  and  again :  For  men  say,  "  The  bricks 
"  are  fallen  down,  but  we  will  build  with  hewn 
"  stones  ;  the  sycamores  are  cut  down,  but  we  will 
"  change  them  into  cedars,"  Isa.  ix.  10.  This 
makes  humbling  work  vtry  longsome  ;  v/e  are  so 
hard  to  quit  the  grip  of  the  creature,  to  fall  off  from 
the  breast  and  be  weaned. — But  fasten  your  grips 
on  the  other  world,  and  let  your  grip  of  this  go  ; 
§p  shall  ye  "  be  humbled  indeed  uuder  the  mighty 
L  2 


126  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

*'  hand."  The  faster  you  grip  the  happiness  of 
that  world,  the  easier  will  it  be  tp  accomodate 
yourselves  to  your  humbling  circumstances  here. 

11.  Make  use  of  Christ  in  all  his  offices,  for 
your  humiliation,  under  your  humbling  circum- 
stances. That  only  is  kindly  humiliation  that 
comes  in  that  way.  Zech-  xii.  10.  "  And  they 
"  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have  pierced,  and 
"  they  shall  mourn,"  &c.  That  you  must  do  by 
trusting  on  hira  for  that  effect, 

(1.)  As  a  Priest  for  you.  You  have  a  conscience 
full  of  guilt,  and  that  will  make  one  uneasy  in  any 
circumstances,  and  far  more  in  humbling  circum- 
stances ;  it  will  be  like  a  thorn  in  the  shoulder  on 
which  a  burden  is  laid.  But  the  blood  of  Christ 
will  purge  the  conscience,  draw  out  the  thorn,  give 
ease,  Isa.  xxxiii.  24.  and  fit  for  service,  doing  or 
suffering,  Heb.  ix.  14.  "  How  much  more  shall 
"  the  blood  of  Christ — purge  )our  conscience 
^^  from  dead  v/orks  to  serve  the  living  God?" 

(2.)  As  your  Prophet  to  teach  you.  We  have 
need  to  be  taught  rightly  to  discern  our  humbling 
circumstances  ;  for,  often  we  mistake  them  so  far, 
that  they  prove  an  oppressing  load  ;  whereas,  could 
v/e  rightly  see  them,  just  as  God  sets  them  to  us, 
they  would  be  humbling,  but  fiot  so  oppressive. 
Trolly  we  need  Christ,  and  the  light  of  his  word  and 
Spirit,  to  let  us  see  our  cross  and  trial  as  well  as 
our  duty,  Psal.  xxv.  9,  10. 

(3.)  As  your  Kiyig".  You  have  a  stiff  heart,  loth 
to  bow  even  in  humbling  circumstances ;  take  a 
lesson  from  Moses  what  to  do  in  such  a  case,  Exod. 
xxxiv.  9.  And  he  said, — Let  inv  Lord^Lpray  thee^ 
go  amongst  us  (for  it  is  a  stiff-necked  people^)  and 
pardon  our  iniquity^  and  our  aim  Put  it  in  his  hands 
rhnt  is  strong  and  mighty,  Psalm  xxiv.  8.  He  is  a- 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  127 

ble  to'cause  it  to  melt,  and  like  wax,  before  the  fire, 
turn  te  the.  seal. 

Think  on  these  directions,  in  order  to  put  them 
in  practice,  remembering,  that  if  ye  knoxv  these 
things,  happy  are  ye^  ify^  ^^  them,  Reraember 
humbling  work  is  a  work  that  will  fill  your  hand, 
while  you  live  here,  and  that  you  cannot  come  to 
the  end  of  till  death;  and  humbling  circumstances 
will  attend  you,  whil<:;  you  are  in  this  lower  world. 
A  change  of  them  ye  may  get ;  but  a  freedom  from 
ihcm  ye  cannot,  till  ye  come  to  heaven.  So  the  hum- 
bling circumstancrs  ofour  imperfections»rtlatioas, 
contradictions,  afflictions,  uncertainties  and  sinful- 
ness, will  afford  matter  of  exercise  to  us  while  here. 
-—What  remains  of  the  pui*pose  of  this  text,  I  shall 
comprise  in, 

Doer.  II.  There  is  a  due  time^  -wherein  these  that 
now  humble  tfiemsehec  uruler  the  mighty  hand 
of  God  will  certainly  be  lifted  vp.  We  shall 
take, 

I.   A  general  viezv  of  this  point.  And  consider, 
1st  J  Some  things  supposed  2Lnd  implied  in  it.     It 
bears, 

1 .  That  those  who  shall  share  of  this  lifting  up, 
must  lay  their  accounts,  in  the  first  place,  with  a 
casting  doivn.  Rev.  vii.  14.  John  xvi.  33. — *^  In  the 
'^^  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation,'*  There  is  no  com- 
ing to  the  promised  land,  according  to  the  settled 
Tnethod  of  grace,  but  through  the  wilderness;  nor 
entering  into  this  exaltation,  but  through  a  strait 
gate.  If  we  cannot  away  with  casting  down,  wc 
will  not  taste  of  the  sweet  of  the  lifting  up. 

2.  Being  cast  down  by  the  mighty  hand  of  God, 
we  must  learn  to  lie  still  and  quiet  under  it,  till  the 


128  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

same  hand  tliat  cast  us  down  raise  us  up,  if  wt 

would  share  of  this  promised  lifting  up.  Lam.  iii.  2r* 
It  is  not  the  being  cast  into  humbling  circumstances, 
by  the  providence  of  God,  but  the  coming  down  of 
our  spirits  under  them,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that 
brings  us  within  the  compass  of  this  promise. 

3.  Never  humbled,  in  humbling  circumstances, 
never  lifted  vp  in  the  way  of  this  promise.  Mea 
may  keep  their  spirits  on  the  high  bend  in  their 
humbling  circumstances,  and  in  that  case  may  get 
a  lifting  up.  Prov.  xvi.  19.  But  note  this,  what 
they  get  will  be  a  lifting  up,  to  the  end  that  they 
may  get  the  more  grievous  fall.  "  Surely  thou 
''  didst  set  them  in  slipperv'  places,  thou  castedst 
"  them  down  in  a  moment,"  Psalm  Ixxiii.  18. 
But  they  who  will  not  humble  themselves  in  hum- 
bling circumstances,  will  find  their  obstinacy  a  need 
nail,  that  will  keep  their  misery  ever  fast  on  them 
without  remedy. 

4.  Humility  of  spint,  in  humbling  circumstan- 
ces, ascertains  a  lifting  up  out  ofthem^some  time, 
with  the  good  will  and  favour  of  heaven.  Luke 
xviii.  14.  *^  I  tell  you,  this  man  went  down  to  his 
''house  justified  rather  than  the  other;  for  every 
"  one  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased,  and  he 
'•that  humbleth  himself  shall  \\e  exalted."  Solo- 
mon observes,  Prov.  :^v.  %»  that  "a  soft  answer 
*-turneth  away  wrath;  but  grievous  words  stir  up 
''  anger."  And  so  it  is,  that  while  the  proud,  through, 
their  obstinacy,  do  but  wreathe  the  yoke  faster  a- 
bout  their  own  necks,  the  yielding  humble  ones,  by 
heir  yielding,  i\iake  their  relief  sure.  1  Sam.  ii.  8, 
:',  10.  "He  raiseththc  poor  out  of  the  dust,  and 
'*  lifteth  up  the  beggar  from  the  dunghill,  to  set 
*'  them  among  princes,  and  to  make  them  inherit 
•*  the  throne  of  glor}'.   He  will  keep  the  feet  of  hit 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  129 

*' saints,  and  the  wicked  shall  be  silent  in  darkness  ;. 
''for  by  strength  shall  no  man  prevail.  The  ad- 
*'  versaries  of  the  Lord  shall  be  broken  in  pieces." 
So  the  cannon-ball  breaks  dovrn  a  stone  wall, 
while  the  yielding  packs  of  wool  take  away  its 
force. 

5.  There  is  an  appointed  time  for  the  lifting  up 
of  those  that  humble  themselves  in  their  humbling 
circumstances.  Hab.  ii.  3.  "  For  the  vision  is  yet 
*'  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the  end  it  shall 
"  speak  and  not  lie  :  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it, 
*'  because  it  will  surely  come,  it  will  not  tarr}%" 
To  every  thing  there  is  a  time,  as  for  humbling,  so 
for  lifting  up,  Eccl.  iii.  3.  We  know  it  not,  but 
God  knows  it,  who  hath  appointed  it.  Let  not  the 
humble  one  say,  I  will  never  be  lifted  up  ;  there  is 
a  time  fixt  for  it,  as  precisely  as  for  the  rising  of 
the  sun,  after  the  long  and  dark  night,  or  the  re- 
tura  of  the  spring  after  the  long  and  sharp  winter, 

6.  It  is  not  to  be  expected,  that  immediately 
upon  one^s  humbling-  him.<felj\  the  lifting  up  is  to 
follov.r.  No  ;  one  is  not  only  to  lie  down  under  the 
mighty  hand,  but  lie  still  waiting  the  due  time  ; 
humbling  work  is  longsome  work ;  the  Israelites 
had  forty  years  of  it  in  the  wilderness.  God's  peo- 
ple must  be  brought  to  put  a  blank  in  his  hand,  as 
to  the  time ;  and  while  they  have  a  long  night  of 
walking  in  darkness,  must  trust,  Isa  1.  10.  ''•  Who 
*^  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obey- 
"  eth  the  voice  of  his  s'^rvant,  tha;  walketh  in 
*'  darkness  and  hath  no  light  .^  Let  him  trust  in 
"  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God." 

7.  The  appointed  time  for  the  lining  up  is  the 
duetime^  the  tim^i  fittest  for  it,  wherein  it  will  come 
most  seasonably.  "  And  let  us  not  be  weary  in  well 
"doing  i  for,  in  due  season  we  shall  reap,  if  w* 


loO  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

"faint  not,"  Gal.  vi.  9.  For  that  is  the  time  God 
has  chosen  for  it;  and  be  sure  his  choice,  as  the 
choice  of  infinite  wisdom,  is  the  best:  and  there- 
fore faith  sets  to  wait  it.  Isa.  xxviii.  16,  "  He  that 
'^  believeth  shall  not  make  h  iste."  There  is  much 
of  the  beauty  of  a  thing  dcnends  on  the  timing  of 
it,  and  he  has  fixed  that  in  all  that  he  does,  Eccl. 
iii.  11.  "He  hath  made  everything  beautiful  in 
"  his  time." 

8.  The  lifting  up  of  the  humble  will  not  miss  to 
come  in  the  appointed  and  due  time,  Hab.  ii.  3. 
Time  makes  no  halting,  in  its  running  day  and 
night;  so  the  due  tune  is  fast  coming,  and,  when 
it  comes,  it  will  bring  the  lifting  up  along  with  it. 
Let  the  humbling  circumstances  be  ever  so  low, 
ever  so  hopeless,  it  is  impossible  but  the  lifting  up 
from  them  must  come  in  the  due  time. 

II.  A  word,  in  the  general,  to  the  lifting'  up^ 
abiding  those  that  humble  themselves.  There  is  a 
two-fold  lifting  up. 

1.  A />ar^2a/ lifting  up,  competent  to  the  hum- 
bled in  time,  during  this  life.  Psal.  XXX.  1.  "I  will 
"  extol  thee,  O  Lord,  for  thou  hast  lifted  me  up,  and 
"  hast  not  made  my  foes  to  rejoice  over  me."  This 
is  a  lifting  up  ia  part,  and  but  in  part, not  wholly; 
and  such  liftings  up  the  humblod  may  expect,  while 
in  this  world  but  no  more. — These  give  a  breath- 
ing to  the  weary,  a  change  of  burdens,  but  do  not 
set  them  at  perfect  ease.  So  Israel,  in  the  wilder- 
ness,in  the  midstof  their  many  mourningtimes,  had 
some  singing  ones,  Exod.  xv.  i.  Num.  xxi.  17. 

2.  A  total  lifting  up,  competent  to  them  at  the 
end  of  time,  at  death.  Luke  xvi,  22.  "  It  came  to 
"  pass,  that  the  beggar  died,  and  was  carried,  by  the 
"  angels,  into  Abraham^s  bosom."  Then  the  Lord 
.leals  with  them  no  more  by  parcels  and  halves,  but 


The  Crook  in  tht  Lot.  131 

carries  them  relief  to  perfection,  Heb.  xii.  23. 
Then  he  takes  off  all  their  burdens,  eases  them  oi 
all  their  weights,  and  lays  no  more  on  for  ever.  He 
then  lifts  them  up  to  a  height  they  were  never  at 
before;  no,  not  even  at  their  highest.  He  sets 
them  quite  above  all  that  is  low,  and  therein  fixes 
them,  never  "to  be  brought  down  more.  Now,  there 
is  a  due  time  for  both  these. 

(1.)  For  the  partial  lifting  up.  Every  time  is 
not  fit  for  it ;  we  are  not  always  fit  to  receive  com- 
fort, an  er»se  or  a  change  of  our  burdens.  God  sees 
there  are  times  wherein  it  is  needful  for  his  people 
to  be  "in  heaviness,"  \  Pet.  i.  6.  to  have  their 
*' hearts  brought  down  with  grief,"  Psal.  cvii.  12. 
But  then  there  is  a  time  really  appointed  for  it  ia 
the  divine  wisdom,  when  he  will  think  it  as  need- 
ful to  comfort  them,  as  before  to  bring  do'v\Ti,  2  Cor. 
ii.  7.  'So  that,  contrary  ways,  ye  ought  rather  to  for- 

*  give,  and  comfort  him,  lest  perhaps  such  a  one 

*  should  be  swallowed  up  with  overmuch  sorrow.' 
We  are,  in  that  case,  in  the  hand  of  God,  as  in  the 
hand  of  our  physician,  who  appoints  the  time  the 
dravv-ing  plaster  shall  be  applied,  and  leaves  it  not 
to  the  patient. 

(2.)  For  the  ?<??«/ lifting  up.  When  we  are  sore 
oppressed  with  our  burdens,  we  are  ready  to  think, 
O  to  be  away,  and  set  beyond  them  all.  Job  vii.  2, 
3.  "  As  a  servant  earnestly  desireth  the  shadow, 
*•*  and  as  a  hireling  looketh  for  the  reward  of  his 
"  w^ork  ;  so  am.  I  made  to  possess  months  of  vanity, 
"  and  wearisome  nights  are  appointed  to  me."  But 
it  may  be  fitter,  for  all  that,  that  we  stay  a  while, 
and  wrestle  with  our  burdens,  Phil.  i.  24,  25. 
**  Nevertheless,  to  aJDide  in  the  flesh  is  more  need- 
<'ful  for  you.  And  having  this  corxfidence,  I  know 
"that  1  shall  abide  and  continue  with  you  all,  for 


i32  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

'•your  furtherance  and  joy  of  faith."  A  few  days 
might  have  taken  Israel  out  of  Eg>'pt  into  Canaan ; 
but  they  would  have  been  over-soon  there  if  they 
had  made  all  that  speed ;  so  they  behoved  to  spend 
fort}'^  years  in  the  wilderness,  till  their  due  time  of 
entering  Canaan  should  come.  And  be  sure  the 
saints,  entering  heaven,  will  be  convinced,  that 
the  time  of  it  n  best  chosen,  and  there  will  be  a 
beauty  in  that  it  was  not  sooner.  And  thus  a  lifting 
up  is  secured  for  the  humble. 

III.  The  certahifij  of  ihe  lifting  up  of  those  that 
humble  thcm^^elves  under  humbling  circumstances. 
If  one  would  assure  you,  when  reduced  to  poverty, 
that  the  time  should  certainly  come  yet,  that  yc 
should  be  rich  j  when  sore  sick,  that  ye  should  not 
die  of  that  disease,  but  certainly  recover, — that 
would  help  you  to  bear  your  poverty  and  sickness 
the  better,  and  you  would  comfort  yourselves  with 
that  prospect.  Kov.  ever,  one  may  continue  poor, 
and  never  be  ricli,  may  be  sick,  and  die  of  his  dis- 
ease ;  but,  V  hocver  huiiible  themselves  under  their 
humbhng  circumstances,  we  can  assure  them  from 
the  Lord's  word  they  shall  certainly,  without  ^11 
peradventure,  be  lilted  up  out  of,  and  relieved 
from,  their  hunibling  circumstances :  they  shall 
certainly  see  the  day  of  their  ease  and  relief,  when 
they  shall  remember  their  burdens  as  waters  that 
fail.  And  ye  may  be  assured  thereof  from  the 
follov.'ing  considerations. 

1.  The  nature  oi  Odd,  duly  considered,  ensures 
it,  Psalm  ciii.  8,  9.  *'  The  Lord  i=  merciful  and 
"  gracious,  slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy. 
•'  He  will  not  always  chide  ;  neither  will  he  keep 
*''"  his  anger  {cr  ever."  The  humbled  soul,  look- 
ing to  (iod  in  Christ,  may  sje  thr'ee  things  in  hi? 
mature  joinily  secuvi)ir  it. 


The  Crook  hi  the  Lot.  loG 

^1.)  Infinite  ^(jnrr,  that  can  do  all  things.  No 
circumstances  are  so  lov*-,  but  he  can  raise  them  ; 
so  intangling  and  perplexed,  but  he  can  unravel 
them  ;  so  hopeless,  but  he  can  remedy  them,  Gen. 
xviii.  14.  "  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord:"' 
Be  our  case  what  it  will,  it  is  never  past  reach  with 
him  to  help  it;  but  then  is  the  most  proper  season 
for  him  to  take  it  in  hand,  when  all  others  have 
given  it  over,  E'cut.  xxxii.  36.  ''  For  the  Lord 
**  shall  judge  his  people,  and  repent  himself  for 
'*  his  servants ;  when  he  seeth  that  their  power  i'? 
''  gone,  and  there  is  none  shut  up,  or  left." 

(2.)  Infinitc^§^<?crt'/vey.s  inclining  to  help.  He  is 
;ood  and  gracious  in  his  nature,  Exod.  xxxiv. 
^ — 9.  And  therefore  his  pov/er  is  a  spirit  of 
comfort  to  them,  Rom.  xiv.  4.  Men  may  be  wil- 
ling that  are  net  able,  or  able  that  are  not  willing; 
but  infinite  goodness,  joining  infinite  power  in 
(.lod,  may  ascertain  the  humbled  of  a  lifting  up  in 
due  time.  That  is  a  word  of  inconceivable  sweet- 
ness, 1  John  iv.  16.  "  And  we  knov,'  and  believe 
'  the  love  that  God  hnth  to  us.  God  is  love  ;  and 
'  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelkth  in  God,  and 
'  God  in  him.'*  ile  has  the  bowels  of  a  father  to- 
wards the  humble,  Psalm  ciii.  13.  "  Like  as  a  fa- 
'*  ther  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth 
-'  them  that  fear  him.."  Yea,  bowels  of  mercy  more 
tender  than  a  motlier  to  her  sucking  child,  Isa. 
xlix.  15.  Wherefore,  howbeit  his  wisdom  ma\ 
see  it  necessary  to  put  them  in  humbling  circtim- 
stances,  and  keep  them  in  them  for  a  time,  it  is 
not  possible  he  can  leave  them  in  them  for  al- 
together. 

(3.)  Infinite  ivisc/om^  that  cloth  nothing  in  vain, 
mcl  therefore  will  not  needlesslv  keep  one  in  hum- 
M 


1 54  rhe  Crook  hi  the  Lot, 

bling  circumstances,    Lam.   iii.   32,   33.  /'  But 

"  though  he  cause  grief,  yet  he  will  have  cdmpas- 
"  sion,  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  mercies; 
"  for  he  doth  not  afflict  willingly,  nor  gneve  the 
*'  children  of  men."  God  sends  them  on  for  hum- 
bling as  the  end  and  design  to  be  brought  about  by 
them  ;  when  that  is  obtained,  and  there  is  no  more 
use  for  them  that  way,  we  may  assure  ourselves 
they  will  be  taken  oif. 

2.  The  providence  of  God,  viewed  in  its  stated 
method  of  procedure  with  its  objects,  ensures  it. 
Turn  your  eyes  which  way  you  will  on  the  divine 
providence,  ye  may  conclude  thence,  that  in  due 
time  the  humble  will  be  lifted  up. 

(1.)  Observe  the  providence  of  God,  in  the  re- 
volutions of  the  whole  course  of  nature,  day  suc- 
ceeding to  the  longest  night,  a  summer  to  the  win- 
ter, a  waxing  to  a  waning  of  the  moon,  a  flowing 
to  an  ebbing  of  the  sea,  &c.  Let  not  the  Lord's 
humbled  ones  be  idle  spectators  of  these  things; 
they  are  for  our  learning,  Jcr.  xxxii.  Z5,  36,  37. 
*'  I'hus  saith  thie  Lord,  which  giveth  the  sun  for  a 
"  light  by  day,  and  the  ordinances  of  the  moon, 
"  and  of  the  stars  for  a  light  by  night,  which  di- 
"  videth  the  sea,  when  the  waters  thereof  roar; 
''  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  his  name.  If  th^se  ordi- 
"  nances  depart  from  before  \ue,  saith  the  Lord, 
"  then  the  seed  of  Israel  shall  cease  from  being  a 
"  nation  before  me  for  ever."  Will  the  Lord's 
hand  keep  such  a  steady  course  in  the  earth,  sea, 
and  visible  heavens,  as  to  bring  a  lifting  up  in 
them  after  a  casting  down,  and  only  forget  hi^^ 
humbled  ones?  No,  by  no  means. 

(2.)  Observe  the  providence  of  God,  in  the  dis- 
pensations thereof,  about  tlie  man  Christ,  the 
most  noble  and  august  object  thereof,  more  valua- 


The  Croak  in  the  Lot.  .  ISB 

ble  than  a  thousand  worlds,  Col.  ii.  9.  Did  not 
Providence  keep  this  course  with  him,  first  hum- 
bling him,  then  exalting  him,  and  lifting  him  up? 
first  bringing  him  to  the  dust  of  death,  in  a  course 
of  sufferings  thirty-three-years,  then  exalt  him  to 
the  Father's  right-hand  in  the  eternity  of  glory  t 
Heb.  xii.  2 — '^  Who,  for  the  joy  that  was  set  be- 
'*fore  him,  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame, 
"and  is  set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of 
God."  Phil.  ii.  8, 9, ''  And  beingfound  in  fashion  as 
"  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient 
'*Gnto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross  :  Where- 
"fore  God  hath  also  highly  exalted  him."  The 
exaltation  could  not  fail  to  follow  his  humiliation. 
Luke  xxiv.  26.  "  Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffer- 
"  ed  these  things,  and  to  enter  into  his  glory  ?" 
And  he  saw  and  believed  it  would  follow,  as  the 
springing  of  the  seed  doth  the  sowing  it,  John  xii. 
24.  There  is  a  near  concern  the  humbled  in  hum- 
bling circumstances  have  herein. 

(1 .)  This  is  the  pattern  Prpvidence  copies  after 
in  its  conduct  towards  you.  The  Father  was  so  well 
pleased  with  this  method,  in  the  case  of  his  own 
Son,  that  it  was  determined  to  be  followed,  and 
just  copied  over  again  in  the  case  of  all  the  heirs 
of  glory.  Rom.  viii.  29.  *'  For  whom  he  did  fore- 
<*know;  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed 
"  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that  he  might  be  the  first 
"born  among  many  brethren."  And  who  would 
not  be  pleased  to  walk  through  the  dark  valley 
treading  his  steps  ? 

(2.)  This  is  a  sure  pledge  of  our  lifting  up. 
Christ,  in  his  state  of  humiliation,  was  considered 
as  a  public  Person  and  Representative,  and  so  is  he 
in  his  exaltation.  So  Christ's  exaltation  ensures 
your  exaltation  out  of  your  humbling  circumst^ri" 


lotj  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

*• 

ces.   Isa.  XXV!.  19.  "  Thy  dead  men  shall  hvj,  to 
*'•  gethcr  with  my  dead  body  shall  they  arise ;  awake 
*'Hnd  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  the  dust."  Hos.  vi.  1, 
2.  *'  Come  and  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord ;  i'oi 
"he  hath  torn  and  he  will  heal  us;  he  hath  smit 
**  ten,  and  he  will  bind  U3  up.     After  two  days  h. 
"  will  revive  us  ;  in  the  third  day  he  will  raise  us 
''up,  and  we  shiU  live  in  his  sight."    Eph.  ii.  6. 
^'  And  hath  raised  us  up  together,  and  made  us  sit 
"  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus.'*  Yea, 
he  is  gone  into  the  state  of  glory  for  us  as  our  fore- 
runner. Hcb.  vi.  20.  ^*  Whither  the  forerunner  is 
**  for  us  entered,  even  Jesus,  made  an  High  P 
"  for  ever." 

(3.)  His  humiliation  was  the  price  of  your  e^ 
altaiion,  and  his  exaltation  a  full  testimony  of  the 
acceptance  of  its  payment  to  the  full.  .  There  are 
no  hum; -ling  circumstances  ye  are  in,  but  ye  would 
have  perished  in  them,  had  not  he  purchased  youi 
lifting  up  out  of  them  by  his  own  humiliation,  Isa. 
xxvi.  19. — Vow,  his  humbling  grace  in  you  is  an 
evidence  of  the  acceptance  of  his  humiliation  fo ' 
your  lifting  up.  A 

3.  Observe  the  promdtnce  of  God  towards  th- 
chv.rch  in  all  ages.  This  h^s  been  the  course  the: 
Lord  has  kept  with  her,  Psal.  cxxix.  1—4.  Abel 
was  slain  by  the  wicked  Cain,  to  the  great  grief  of 
Adam  and  Eve,  and  the  re.-^t  of  their  pious  chil 
dren  :  but  then  there  was  another  seed  raised  up  iu 
AbePs  room  after.  Gen.  iv.  25.  Noah  and  his  sons 
were  buried  alive  in  the  ark  more  than  a  year ;  but 
then  they  were  brought  out  into  a  new  world  and 
blessed.  Abraham  for  many  years  went  childless  , 
but  at  length  Isaac  was  l)orn.  Israel  was  long  in 
miserable  bondage  in  Egypt ;  but  at  length  seated 
in  the  promised  land,  &c.     We  must  be  content 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  13r 

lo  go  by  the  footsteps  of  the  flock  ;  and  if  in  hu- 
miliation, we  will  surely  follow  them  in  exaltation 
too. 

4.  Observe  the  providence  of  God  in  the  dispen- 
sation of  his  grace  towards  his  children.  The  ge- 
neral rule  is,  1  Pet.  v.  5.  *'  For  God  resisteth  the 
"  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  humble."  How- 
are  they  brought  into  a  state  of  grace  ?  Is  it  not  by 
a  sound  work  of  humiUation  going  before  ?  Lake 
vi.  48.  And  ordinarily  the  greater  measure  of 
grace  is  designed  for  one,  the  deeper  is  their  hu- 
miliation before,  as  in  Paul's  case.  If  they  are  to 
be  recovered  out  of  a  back-slidden  case,  the  same 
method  is  followed :  so  that  deepest  humiliation 
ordinarily  makts  v/ay  for  the  greatest  comforts, 
and  the  darkest  hour  goes  before  the  rising  of  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  upon  them,  Isa.  Ixvi.  5,— 
13. 

5.  Observe  the  providence  of  God  at  length 
throwing  down  xvicked  men,  however  long  they 
stand  and  prosper.  Psalm  xxxvii.  35,  2)Q>.  *'  I 
*'  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power,  and  spread- 
*'  ing  himself  like  a  green  bay  tree  ;  yet  he  passed 
^'  away,  and  lo  he  was  not ;  yea,  I  sought  him  but 
"  he  could  not  be  found."  The}-  are  long  green 
before  the  sun,  but  at  length  they  are  suddenlv 
smitten  with  an  east  wind,  and  wither  away  -,  their 
lamp  goes  out  with  a  stink,  and  they  are  put  out 
in  obscure  darkness.  Now,  it  is  inconsistent  with 
the  benignity  of  the  divine  nature,  to  forget  the 
humble  to  raise  them,  while  he  minds  the  proud  to 
abase  thcni. 

The  ivcrd  of  God  puts  it  beyond  nil  peradven- 
ture,  which,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  is  the 
humbled  saint's  sccuritv  for  lifting  up.      Psalm 
M  Kl 


l38  The  Ci-oofi  in  tne  L(*u 

cxix.  49,  50.  "  Remember  the  word  unto  th\-  sei 
*-'  vant,  upon  which  thou  hast  caused  me  to  hope. 
""  This  is  ray  comfort  in  my  affliction  ;  for  thy  won! 
*■'  hath  quickened  mt?."     His  word  is  the  great  let 
ter  of  his  name,  which  he  will  certainly  see  t^ 
cause   to  diine.      Psalm  cxxxviii.  2.  "  For  thou 
'' hast  magnified  thy  word  above  all  thy  name;" 
and  in  all  generations  has  been  saf.lv  l-^t-ned  t<-)^ 
Psalm  xii.  6.     Consider, 

(1.)  The  doctrines  of  the  word,  wmcU  teach  lajiii 
and  hope  for  the  time,  and  the  happy  issue  the  ex- 
ercises of  these  graces  will  have.  The  whole  cur- 
rent of  scripture,  to  those  in  humbling  circumstan- 
ces is,  "  Not  to  cast  away  their  confidence,  but  to 
"  hope  to  the  end  ;  and  that  for  this  good  reason^ 
'*  that  it  shall  not  be  in  vain."  See  Psalm  xxvii.  14. 
''  Wait  on  the  Lord ;  be  of  good  courage,  and  he 
"  shall  strengthen  thine  heart ;  Wait  I  say,  on  the 
"  Lord." — And  compare,  Horn.  ix.  33.  Isa.  xlix. 
23.  *'  For  they  shall  not  be  ashamed  that  wait  for 
'•me." 

(2.)  T\\Q  protnises  oftlie  word,  whereby  heaven 
is  expressly  engaged  for  a  lifting  up  to  those  that 
humble '  then-iselves  in  humbhng  circumstarffces. 
James  iv.  10.  "  Humble  yourselves  in  the  sight 
''  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shali  lift  you  up."  Matt. 
xxiii.  12.  ^' And  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall 
'^  be  exalted."  It  may  take  a  time  to  prepare  them 
for  lifting  up,  but  tliat  being  done,  it  is  secured. 
Psalm  x.  17.  **  Lord,  thou  hast  h<?ard  the  desire 
'*  of  the  humble;  thou  wilt  prepare  their  heart ; 
*'  thou  \Tilt  cause  thine  ear  to  hear."  They  have 
his  word  for  deliveran-e.  Psalm  1.  15.  And  though 
they  mav  seem  to  be  forgotten,  they  shall  not  be 
always  so  ;  the  time  of  their  deliverance  will  come. 
P^alm  ix.   18.      *'•  For  the  needv  shall  r.ct  alivav* 


X  lir  i^tooA  iiv  iiic  Lot-  139 

'*  be  forgotten :  the  expectation  of  the  poor  bhall 
"  not  perish  for  ever."  Psalm  cii.  17.  "  He  will 
"  regard  the  prayer  of  the  destitute,  and  not  des- 
^'  pise  their  prayer." 

(3.)  The  examples  of  the  word  suuiciently  con- 
firming the  truth  of  the  doctrines  and  promises. 
Horn.  xv»  4.  "  For  whatsoever  things  v.'ere  writ- 
'•  ten  afore  time,  were  written  for  our  learning ; 
**  that  we  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the 
"  scrip-^ures  might  have  hope."  In  the  doctrines 
and  promises  the  lifting  up  is  proposed  to  our  faith, 
to  be  reckoned  on  the  credit  of  God's  Avord;  but, 
in  the  examples  it  is,  in  the  case  of  others,  set  be- 
fore our  tyes  to  be  seen.  Jam.  v.  11.  "Behold 
'*  we  count  them  happy  which  endure-  Ye  have 
*•'  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have  seen  the 
*'  end  of  the  Lord;  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful, 
"  and  of  tender  mercy."  There  we  see  it  in  the 
case  of  Abraham,  Job,  David,  Paul,  and  other 
saints ;  but  above  all,  in  the  case  of  the  man 
Christ. 

4.  The  intercession  Qi  Christy  joining  the  pray- 
ers and  cries  of  his  humbled  people,  in  their  hum- 
bling circumstances,  ensures  a  lifting  up  for  them 
at  length.  Be  it  so,  that  the  proud  cry  not  when 
he  bindcth  them  ;  yet  his  own  humbled  ones  will 
not  do  so,  they  v;ill  cry.  Psalm  xlii.  7,  8.  ''  Deep 
**  calleth  unto  deep,  at  the  noise  of  thy  vrater- 
*'  spouts  \  all  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  ai-e  gone 
*'  over  me.  Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  loving 
''•  kindness  in  the  day-time,  and  in  the  night  his 
**  song  shall  be  with  me,  and  my  prayer  unto  the 
**  God  of  my  life."  And  though  unbelievers  may 
80on  be  outwearied,  and  give  it  over  for  altogetli- 
er,  sure  believers  will  not  do  so ;  but  though  they 
may,  in  a  fit  of  teinptrttion)  lay  it  by  as  hopekss> 


140  The  Crook  in  the  Lot, 

they  will  find  themselres  obliged  to  take  it  up  a-r 
gain.  Jer.  xx»  9.  "  Then  I  said,  I  will  not  make 
*^  mention  of  him,  nor  speak  any  more  in  his  name. 
'*  But  his  word  was  in  mine  heart  as  a  burning  fire 
*'  shut  up  in  my  bones,  and  I  was  weary  with  for- 
"  bearing,  and  I  could  not  stay ;"  and  continue  to 
cry  on  night  and  day,  Luke  xviii.  7.  knowing  no 
time  for  giving  it  over  till  they  be  lifted  up.  Lam. 
iii-  49,  50.  "  Mine  eye  trickleth  down,  and  cea- 
*'  seth  not,  without  any  intermission  ;  till  the  Lord 
*'  look  down,  and  behold  from  heaven.'*  Now, 
Christ's  intercession  being  joined  widi  these  cries, 
there  cannot  miss  to  be  a  lifting  up — Consider, 

1.  Christ's  intercession  is  certainly  joined  with 
the  cries  and  prayers  of  the  humbled  in  their  hum- 
bling circumstances.  Kev.  viii.  3.  "  And  another 
**  angel  came  i^nd  stood  at  the  altar,  having  a  gol- 
"  den  censer ;  and  there  was  given  unto  him  much 
"■*  incense,  that  he  should  offer  it  with  the  prayers 
'*  of  all  saints  upon  the  golden  altar,  which  M'as  be- 
*'  fore  the  throne."  They  are  by  the  Spirit  help- 
ed to  groan  for  relief,  Rom.  viii.  26.  and  the  pra)'- 
ers  and  groans,  which  are  through  the  Spirit,  are 
certainly  to  be  made  effectual  by  the  intercession 
of  the  Son.  Jam.  v.  16.  And  ye  may  know  they 
are  by  the  Spirit,  if  so  be  yc  are  helped  to  continue 
praying,  hoping  for  your  suit  on  the  ground  of 
God's  v/ord  of  promise  ;  for  nature's  praying  is  a 
pool  that  will  dry  up  in  a  long  drought.  It  is  the 
spirit  of  prayer  is  the  lasting  spring,  John  iv.  14. 
Psahn  cxxxviii-  3.  "  In  the  day  when  I  cried,  thou 
**  answeredst  me ;  and  strengthenedst  me  with 
*'  strength  in  my  soul."  Truly  there  is  an  inter- 
cession in  heaven,  on  account  of  the  humbling  cir- 
cumstances of  the  humble  ones.  "Then  the  an- 
tt  g<jl  t)f  «tlie  Lord  answered  and  said,  O  Lord  of 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  141 

"  hostb,  how  long  wilt  thou  not  have  mercy  on 
-'  Jerusalem,  and  on  the  cities  of  Judah,  ag?anst 
'*  which  thou  hast  had  indignation  these  three-score 
'*  and  ten  years  ?"  Zech.  i.  1 2.  How  then  can  they 
miss  of  a  lifting  up  in  due  time  r 

2.  He  is  in  deepest  earnesi  in  his  intercession 
lor  his  people  in  their  humbling  circumstances. 
Some  will  speak  a  good  word  in  favour  of  the  help- 
less, that  will  be  little  concerned  whether  they  come 
speed  or  not ;  but  our  Intercessor  is  in  earnest  in 
behalf  of  his  humbled  ones :  for  he  is  touched  with 
sympathy  in  their  case,  Isa.  Ixiii.  9.  "  In  all  their 
**  afflictions  he  was  afflicted." — A  most  tender  sym- 
pathv,  Zech.  ii.  8.  *'  For  he  that  toucheth  you, 
"  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye."  He  has  their  case 
upon  his  heArtj  where  he  is,  in  the  holy  place,  in 
the  highest  heavens,  Exod.  xxviii.  29  and  he  keeps 
exact  account  of  the  time  of  their  humbling  cir- 
cumstances, be  it  as  long  as  it  will,  Zech.  i. 
12.  Moreover*  it  is  his  ovrn  business ;  the  lif- 
ting up  they  are  to  have  is  a  thing  that  is  secu- 
red to  him,  in  the  promises  made  to  him  on  the 
account  of  his  blood  shed  for  them,  Psalm  Ixxxix. 
33,  36.  So  not  only  are  they  looking  on  earth,  but 
the  Man  Christ  is  in  heaven  looking  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  these  promises,  Heb.  x.  12,  15. 
"  But  this  man,  after  he  had  offered  one  sacrifice 
"  for  sins,  for  ever  sat  dow^n  on  the  right  hand  of 
''God  ;  from  henceforth  expecting  till  his  enemies 
^M>e  made  his  footstool."  How  is  it  possible,  then, 
that  looking  should  be  baulked  ?  Moreover,  these 
humbling  circumstances  are  his  own  sufferings  still, 
though  not  in  his  Person,  yet  in  his  members,  Col. 
i.  24.  '*  Who  now  rejoice  in  my  sufferings  for  you, 
*■'"  and  fill  up  that  which  is  behind  of  the  afflictions  of 
*'  Chribt  in  my  flesh,  for  his  body's  sake,  which  i? 


142  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

"  the  church."     Wherefore  there  is  all  ground  tD 
conclude  he  is  in  deep  earnest. 

(3.)  His  intercession  is  always  effectual^  Joli  i 
XI.  42.  *'  And  I  know  that  thou  hearest  me  always.'' 
It  cannot  miss  to  be  so,  because  he  is  the  Father's 
well  beloved  Son  ;  his  intercession  has  a  plea  of 
justice  for  the  ground  of  it,  1  John  ii.  1 .  ^*  We  have 
**  an  Advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the 
''righteous."  Moreover, he  has  all  power  in  hea- 
ven and  earth  lodged  in  him,  1  John  v.  22.  And,  fi- 
nally, he  and  his  Father  are  one,  and  their  will  one. 
So,  for  the  present  time,  both  Christ  and  his  Fa- 
ther do  will  the  lifting  up  of  the  humble  ones,  but 
yet  only  in  due  time. 

Secondlif^  I  proceed  to  a  more  par  tictdar  virw  of 
the  point.     And, 

l.s^.  We  will  consider  the  lifting  up  as  brought 
about  in  ^?m^,  which  is  the  partial  lifting  up.  And, 

(1.)  Some  considerations  for  clearing  the  nature 
thereof.  .•* 

1.  This  lifting  up  does  not  take  place  in  everif 
case  of  a.  child  of  God.  One  may  be  humbled  in 
humbling  circumstances,  from  which  he  is  to  gej  a 
lifting  up  in  time.  We  would  from  the  promise 
presently  conclude,  that  we  being  humbled  under 
our  humbling  circumstances,  «hall  certainly  be  ta- 
ken out  of  them,  and  freed  from  them  ere  we  get 
to  the  end  of  our  journey.  For  it  is  certain,  there 
are  some,  such  as  our  imperfections,  and  sinfulness, 
and  mortality,  we  can  by  no  means  be  rid  of  while 
in  this  world.  And  there  are  particular  humbling 
circumstances  the  Lord  may  hang  about  one,  and 
keep  about  them,  till  they  go  down  to  the  grave, 
while,  in  the  mean  time,  he  may  lift  up  another 
from  the  same  Heman  was  pressed  down  all  a- 
long  from  his  5/o?/M.  Psal.  Ixxxviii.  15.  others  all 
their  /ife  tini^,  Heb;  ii.  Ip. 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  143 

Object.  'If  that  be  the  case,  what  comes  of  the 
'promise  of  lifting  up?  Where  is  the  lifting  up,  if 
*  one  may  get  to  the  grave  under  the  weight  r' 

Answ.  Were  there  no  life  after  this,  there  would 
be  weight  in  that  objection  ;  but  since  there  is  ano- 
ther life,  there  is  nnne  in  it  at  all.  In  the  other 
life  the  promise  will  be  accomplishing  to  the  hum- 
bled as  it  was,  Luke  xvi.  22.  Consider  that  th& 
great  term  for  accomplishing  the  promises,  is  the 
other  life,  not  this.  "  These  all  died  in  the  faith, 
"not  having  received  the  promises,  but  having 
"seen  them  afar  off,  and  were  persuaded  of  them, 
*'and  embraced  them,"  Heb  xl.  13.  And  that 
whatever  accomplishment  of  the  promise  is  here, 
it  is  not  the  nature  of  the  stock,  but  of  a  sample  or 
a  pledge. 

^lest*  *  But  then,  may  we  not  give  over  pray- 
'  ing  for  the  lifting  up,  in  that  case  r' 

Ansru,  We  do  not  kno\^  when  that  Is  our  case  ; 
for  a  case  may  be  past  all  hope  in  our  eyes,  and 
the  eyes  of  others,  in  which  God  designs  a  lifting 
up  in  time,  as  in  Job's,  chap.  vi.  11.  <'  What  i» 
"  my  strength  that  I  should  hope  ^  And  what:  i^ 
"  mine  end  that  I  should  prolong  my  lifer"  But, 
be  it  as  it  will,  we  should  never  give  over  praying 
for  the  lifting  up,  sii;ce  it  will  certa'mly  come  to 
all  that  pray  in  faith  for  it ;  if  not  here,  yet  here- 
after. The  promise  is  sure,  and  that  is  the  com- 
mandment; so  such  praying  cannot  miss  of  a 
happy  issue  at  length,  Psalm  1,  15.  "  And  call 
upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble  ;  I  will  deli- 
"  ver  thee,  and  thoushalt  glorify  me.^'  The  whole 
life  of  a  Christian  is  such  a  praying-waiting  life 
to  encourage  whereunto  all  temporal  deliverances 
are  given  as  pledges,  Rom.  viii.  23.  "And  not 
'•'■  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the 
•'  'Ir^st  fmits  of  the  spirit;  even  we  ourselves  groan 


144  Thi  Creak  in  the  lot* 

"  within  oiwaelves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  i^;.. 
*'  the  redemption  ot  our  body."  And  whoso  ob- 
serves that  lull  lifting  up  at  death  to  be  at  hand, 
nkust  certainly  rise,  if  he  has  given  over  his  case 
as  hopeless- 

2.  However,  there  are  some  cases  wherein  this 
lifiiBg  up  does  take  place.  God  gives  his  people 
some  notable  liftings  up,  even  in  time  raising 
them  out  ol  remarkable  humbhng  circumstances. 
The  storm  is  changed  into  a  calm,  and  they  re- 
member it  as  waters  that  fail,  Psalm  xl.  1 — 4. 
Two  things  may  be  observed  on  this. 

(1.)  One  may  be  in  humbling  circumstances  ve- 
ry long,  and  sore,  and  hopeless,  and  yet  a  liftin- 
up  may  be  abiding  them,  of  a  much  longer  conti- 
nuance. This  is  sometimes  the  case  ol  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  who  are  set  to  bear  the  yoke  in  their 
youth,  as  it  v/as  with  Joseph  ar.d  David  ;  and  of 
them  that  get  it  laid  on  them  in  their  middle  age, 
as  it  was  with  Job,  who  could  not  be  less  than  forty 
at  his  trouble's  coming,  but  after  it  lived  one  hun 
drcd  and  forty,  Job  xlii.  16.  God  by  Buch  mc 
thods  prepares  men  for  peculiar  usefulness. 

(2.)  Or»e  may  be  in  humbling  circumsta^cer 
long  and  lore,  and  quite  hopeless,  in  the  ordinary 
cour«e  of  providence,  yet^they  may  get  a  clear 
and  warm  blink  of  «a  lifting  up,  ere  they  come  to 
their  journey's  end.  I  he  life  of  some  of  God's 
children  is  like  a  cloudy  and  rainy  day,  wherein, 
in  the  evening,  the  sun  breaks  out  from  under  the 
clouds,  shines  fair  and  clear  a  little  and  then  sets. 
'*  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the 
"  light  shall  not  be  clear,  nor  dark.  But  it  shall 
"  come  to  pass,  that  at  evening-time  it  &hall  be 
**  light."  Zech.  xiv.  6,  7.  Such  was  the  case  of 
Jacob  in  his  old  age,  brought  in  honour  and  com- 
fort into  Kgypt  unto  hi»  son,  and  then  died. 


rht  Crook  in  the  Lot.  145 

(3.)  Yet  whatever  liftings  up  they  get  in  this 
life,  they  will  never  want  some  weights  hanging 
about  them  for  their  humbling.  They  may  have 
their  singing  times,  but  their  songs  while  in  this 
world  will  be  mixed  with  groanings,  2  Cor.  v.  4. 
"  For  we  that  are  in  this  tabernacle  do  gro^n,  be- 
*•  ing  burdened."  The  unmixt  dispensation  is  re- 
served for  the  other  world  j  but  this  will  be  a  wil- 
derness unto  the  end,  Vv'here  there  ',\'ill  be  bowlings 
with  the  moiit  joyful  notes. 

Lastly^  All  the  liftings  up  the  hum.bled  meet 
with  now  are  pledges,  and  but  pledges,  samples, 
and  arle-pennies,  {^Larnest\oi  the  great  lifting  up, 
abiding  them  on  the  other  side  ;  and  they  should 
look  on  them  so. 

(1.)  They  are  really  so.  Has.  ii.  15.  "  And  I 
"  will  give  her  her  vineyards  from  thence,  and  the 
"  valley  of  Achcr  for  a  door  of  hope ;  and  she 
*'  shall  sing  there  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  and 
^'  as  in  the  day  when  she  came  out  of  the  land  of 
'^  Egypt."  Our  Lord  Jesus  i^  leading  his  people 
now  tla-Qugh  the  ■\\  ilderness,  and  the  manna  and 
water  of  the  rock  are  earnests  for  the  time  of  the 
milk  and  honey  flowing  in  the  promised  land. — 
They  are  not  yet  come  home  to  their  Father's 
houte,  but  they  are  travelling  on  the  road,  and 
Christ  their  elder  Brother  with  them.  Song  iv.  8. 
vv'ho  bears  their  expeuces,  takes  them  Into  ihus  by 
the  wa}',  as  it  were,  and  rtfreshes  them  \t"ith  par- 
tial liftings  up  ;  after  v/hlch,  thev  must  get  to  the 
road  again.  But  that  enteitainment  by  the  way  is 
a  pledge  of  the  full  entertainment  he  will  a'.lbrJ 
tiiem  \/hen  come  home. 

Object.  '  But  people  may  get  a  lifting  up  in  time, 

*  that  yet  is  no  pledge  of  a  lifting  up  on  the  oiher 

*  side  :   Kovr  shall  i  know  it  then  to  b^  a  pled^r  -^ 


146  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

Ans.  That  lifting  up,  which  comes  by  the  pro- 
mises, is  certainly  a  pledge  of  the  full  lifting  up  in 
the  other  world ;  for,  as  the  other  life  is  the  pro- 
per time  of  the  accomplishing  of  the  promises,  so 
we  may  be  sure,  that  when  God  once  begins  to 
clear  his  bond,  he  will  certainly  hold  on  till  it  is 
fully  cleared.  "  The  Lord  will  perfect  that  which 
'"'  concemeth  me,''  Psalm  cxxxviii.  8.  So  we  may 
say  as  Naomi  to  Ruth,  upon  her  receiving  the  six 
measures  of  barley  from  Boaz,  Ruth  lii.  18.  *'  He 
*'  will  not  be  in  rest  until  he  have  finished  the  thing 
*'  this  day."  There  are  liftings  up  that  come  by 
common  providence,  and  these  indeed  are  single, 
and  not  pledges  of  more  j  but  the  promise  chains 
mercies  together,  so  that  one  got  is  a  pledge  of  a- 
nother  to  come,  yea,  of  th^  whole  chain  to  the 
end,  2  Sam.  v.  12. 

^lest,  '  But  how  shall  I  know  the  lifting  up  to 
*  come  by  the  way  of  the  promise?'  , 

Ajis,  That  which  comes  by  the  way  of  the  pro- 
mise, does  at  once  come  the  low  way  of  humilia- 
tion, the  high  way  of  faith,  or  believing  the  pro- 
mise, and  the  long  way  of  waiting  hope,  and  pa- 
tient continuance.  James  v.  7.  "  Be  patient  thelt:- 
*'  fore,  brethren,  unto  the  coming  of  the^  Lord. 
•"^  Behold  the  husbandman  wj^teth  for  the  precious 
^'  fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long  patience  for  it 
*'  until  l\e  receive  the  early  and  latter  rain.*'  Hu- 
mility qi^lifies  for  the  acconKplishment  of  th©  pro- 
mise, faith  sucks  the  breasts  of  it,  ai->d  patient* 
waiting  hangs  by  the  breast  till  the  milk  come  a- 
bundantly. 

(2.)  But  no  lifting  up  of  God's  children  here 
are  aiiy  more  than  pledges  of  lifting  up.  God  gives 
worldly  men  their  stock  here,  but  his  children  get 
jiotliing  but  a  sample  of  theirs  here,  Psalm  xvii. 


The  Crook  hi  the  Lot.  14f 

14.  Even  as  the  servant  at  the  term  gets  his  fee  ia 
a  round  sum,  while  the  young  heir  gets  nothing 
but  a  few  pence  for  spending  money.  The  truth 
is,  the  same  spending  money  is  more  vakiable  than 
the  world's  stock,  Psalm  iv.  7—"  Thou  hast  put 
'*  gladness  in  my  heart,  more  than  in  the  time  that 
**  their  com  and  their  wine  increased."  But  tho'' 
it  is  better  than  that,  and  their  ser\*ices  too,  and 
more  worth  than  all  their  on-waiting,  yet  it  is  be- 
low the  honour  of  their  God  to  put  them  off  with 
it,  Heb.  xi.  16.  "  But  now  they  desire  a  better 
**  country,  that  is,  an  heavenly  ;  wherefore  God 
"  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their  God  j  for  he 
"  hath  prepared  for  them  a  cit}'." 

II.  The  partial  lifting  up  itself.  What  they  will 
get,  getting  this  lifting  up  promised  to  the  hum- 
bled.    Why,  they  will  get, 

1.  A  re/nct'rt/ of  their  humbling  circumstances*" 
God  having  tried  them  a  while,  and  humbled 
them,  and  brought  do^\^I  their  hearts,  will  at  length 
take  off  their  burden,  remove  the  weight  so  long 
hung  at  them,  and  so  take  them  off  that  part  of 
their  trial  joyfully,  and  let  them  get  up  their  back 
long  bowed  down  ;  and  this  one  of  two  ways. 

(1.)  Either  in  kind^  removing  the  burden  for 
good  and  all.  Such  a  lifting  Job  got,  when  the 
Lord  turned  back  his  captivity,  increased  again  his 
family  and  substance,  which  had  both  been  deso- 
lated. David,  when  Saul  his  persecutor  fell  in 
battle,  and  he  was  brought  to  the  kingdom  after 
many  a  wear}^  day,  expecting  one  day  to  fall  by 
his  hand.  It  is  easy  with  our  God  to  make  such 
turns  in  the  most  humbling  circumstances. 

(2.)  Or  in  equivalent^  or  as  good,  removing  the 
%veightofthc  burden,  that  though  it  remains,  it 
presses  them  no  more,  2  Cor.  xii.  9, 10.  "  And  ho 


i^S  The  Lio:,k.  iii  the  Lot. 

"  said  unto  mc,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thcc, 
*'  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness. 
*'  Most  gladly,  therefore,  wiil  I  rather  glory  in 
"  my  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest 
**  upon  me.  Therefore  I  take  pleasure  in  mine 
"  infirmities.'*  Though  they  arc  not  got  to  the 
shore,  yet  their  head  is  no  more  under  the  water, 
but  lifted  up.  David  speaks  feelingly  of  such  a 
lifting  up,  Psalm  xxvii.  5,  G.  "  For  iiithe  time  of 
*'  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in  his  pavilion  ;  in  tlie  se- 
**cret  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he  hide  me  ;  he  shall  set 
**  meupon  a  rock.  And  now  shall  mine  head  be  lif- 
*'  ted  above  mine  enemies  round  about  me  ;  therefore 
'Svill  I  offer  in  his  tahcnacle  sacrifices  of  joy ;  I  will 
'^  sing,  yea  I  will  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord."  Such 
had  the  three  children  in  the  fiery  furnace ;  the  fire 
burnt,  but  it  could  burn  nothing  of  them  but  their 
bonds  J  they  had  the  warmth  and  light  of  it,  but 
rothing  of  the  scorching  heat.  Sometimes  God 
lifts  up  his  people  this  way  in  their  humbling  cir- 
cumstances. 

2.  A  comfortable  sight  of  the  acceptance  of  their 
prayers,  put  up  in  their  humbling  circumstances  : 
While  prayers  are  not  answered  but  trouble  con- 
tinued, the  hangers  on  about  the  Lord's  hand  are 
apt  to  think  they  are  not  accepted  or  regarded  in 
heaven,  because  there  is  no  alteration  in  their  case, 
Job  ix.  16.  ir.  ''  Jf  I  had  called,  and  he  answered 
"'•  me,  yet  would  I  not  believe  that  he  had  hearkcn- 
''  ed  unto  my  voice,  for  he  breaketh  me  with  a  teni- 
*'  pest."  But  that  is  a  mistake  ;  they  are  accept- 
ed immediately,  though  not  answered,!  John  v.  14. 
"And  this  is  the  confident  we  have  in  him,  that 
"  if  we  ask  any  thing  according  to  his  will,  he  hear- 
**eth  us."  The  Lord  does  with  them  as  a  Father, 
with  the  letters  coming  thick  from  his  son  a))roadi 
reads  them  one  by  one  with  pleasure,  and  cr     '   ' 


The  Crook  in  the  tot,  149 

\y  lays  them  up,  to  be  answered  at  his  conveniencco 
And  when  the  answer  comes,  the  son  will  know 
how  acceptable  they  were  to  his  fatVjer,  Matt.  xv. 
28.     So  here,  &c. 

3.  A  heart-satisfying  answer  of  these  prayers, 
ihid.  so  as  they  shall  not  only  get  the  thing,  but  see 
they  have  it  as  an  answer  of  prayer  ;  and  they  will 
put  a  double  value  on  the  mercy,  1  Sam.  ii.  1.  Ac- 
cepted prayers  may  be  \try  long  of  answering, 
many  years,  as  in  Abraham  and  David's  case,  but 
they  cannot  miscarr}^  of  an  answer  at  length,  PsaU 
ix.  18.  The  time  will  come  when  God  will  tell 
out  to  them  according  to  the  promise,  that  they 
shall  change  their  note,  and  say,  Psal.  cxvi.  1.  "  I 
"love  the  Lord,  because  he  hath  heard  my  voice, 
*'and  my  supplication."  Looking  on  their  lifting 
up  as  bearing  the  signature  of  the  hand  of  a  prayer- 
hearing  (iod. 

4.  Full  satisfaction^  as  to  the  conduct  of  Provi- 
dence, in  all  the  steps  of  the  humbling  circumstan- 
ces, and  the  delay  of  the  lifting  up,  however  per- 
plexing these  were  before,  Rev.  xv.  3.  Standing 
on  the  shore,  and  looking  back  to  what  they  ha\  e 
past  through,  they  will  be  made  to  say,  *'  He  hatli 
"  done  all  things  well."  These  things  which  are 
bitter  to  Christians  in  the  passing  through,  are  veiy 
sweet  in  the  reflection  on  them ;  so  is  Samson's 
riddle  verified  in  their  experiences. 

5.  They  get  the  lifting  up,  together  with  the  in- 
terest for  the  time  they  lay  out  of  it.  AVlicn  God 
pays  his  bonds  of  promises,  he  pays  both  stock  and 
interest  together;  the  mercy  is  increased  according 
to  the  time  man  waited  on,  and  the  cxpences  and 
hardships  sustained,  during  the  dependence  of  the 
process.  The  fruits  of  common  providences  are  soon 
ripe,  soon  rotten  ;  but  the  fruit  of  the   promise  i*i 

N  2 


150  The  Crook  VI  the  Let. 

readily  long  a  ripening,  but  then  it  is  dumbie  ;  and 
the  longer  it  is  a  ripening,  it  is  the  more  valuable 
when  it  comes.  Abraham  and  Sarah  waited  for 
the  promise  about  ten  jears,  at  length  he  thought 
on  a  way  to  hasten  it,  Gen.  xvi.  1 — 6.  That  soon 
took  in  the  birth  of  Ishmacl,  but  he  w^as  not  the 
promised  son.  They  were  coming  into  extreme 
old  9ge  ere  the  promise  brought  forth,  Cren.  xviii. 
1 1.  But  when  it  came,  they  got  it  with  an  addi- 
tion of  the  renewing  of  their  ages,  Gen.  xxi.  T.  and 
XXV.  1.  The  most  valuable  of  all  the  promises  was 
the  longest  in  fulfilling,  viz.  the  promise  of  Christ, 
that  was  four  thousand  years. 

6.  The  spiritual  enemies,  that  flew  thick  and 
throng  about  them  in  the  time  of  the  darkness  of 
the  humbling  circumstances,  will  be  scattered  at 
this  lifting  up  in  the  promise.  1  Sam.  ii.  1,  5. 
^^  And  Hannah  prayed  and  said,  My  heart  rejoi- 
**  ceth  in  the  Lord,  my  mouth  is  enlarged  over  mine 
**  enemies.  They  that  were  full  have  hired  out 
''  themsek-es  for  bread,  and  they  that  were  hungry 
"  ceased."  Formidable  was  Pharoah's  host  be- 
hind the  Israelites,  while  they  had  the  Red  S^a 
before  them  ;  but,  when  they  were  through  the  sea, 
they  saw  the  Egyptians  dead  on  the  shore,  Exod. 
xiv.  SO.  Such  a  sight  will  they  that  humble  them- 
selves under  humbling  circumstances  get  of  their 
spiritual  eijemies,  whea  the  time  comes  for  the  lif- 
ting up» 

HI.  The  due  time  of  this  lifting  up.  That  is  a 
very  natural  question  of  those  in  humbling  circum- 
sunces,  Watchmen^  What  of  the  ni(fhtP  And  we 
/cannot  answer  it  to  the  humbled  soul,  but  in  gene- 
ral, Isa.  xxi.  II,  12.  So  take  these  general  obsc  i  ^ 
vatioiw  on  it» 


The  Crook  hi  the  LoU  15  i 

1.  The  lifting  up  the  humbled  will  not  be  kng-- 
sovie  considering  the  weight  of  the  matter;  that  is 
to  say,  considering  the  worth  and  value  of  the  lif- 
ting up  of  the  humble  ;  when  it  comes  it  can  by  no 
means  be  reckoned  long  to  the  time  of  it-  When 
vou  sow  your  corn  in  the  fields,  though  it  does  not 
ripen  so  soon  as  some  garden-seeds,  but  you  wait 
three  months  or  so,  yet  do  not  think  the  harvest 
long  a  coming,  considering  the  value  of  the  crop. 
This  view  the  apostle  takes  of  the  lifting  up  in 
humbling  circumstances,  2  Cor.  iv.  IT.  *'  For 
"  our  ligTit  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
"  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
*'  weight  of  glory."  So  that  a  believer,  looking  on 
the  promise  with  an  eye  of  faith,  and  perceiving 
its  accomplishment,  and  the  worth  of  it  when  ac- 
complished, may  wonder  it  is  come  in  so  short  on- 
coming. I'herefore  it  is  determined  to  be  a  time 
that  comes  soon,  Luke  xviii.  7.  soon  in  respect  of 
its  weight  and  worth. 

2.  When  the  time  comes,  it  and  only  it  ^vill  ap- 
pear the  due  iitne.  To  ever}'  thing  there  is  a  sea- 
son, and  a  great  part  of  wisdom  lies  in  discerning 
it,  and  doing  things  in  the  season  thereof.  And 
we  may  be  sure  Infinite  wisdom  cannot  miss  the 
season  by  mistaking  it,  Deut.  xxxii.  4,     '  He  is  a 

*  rock,  his  work  is  perfect ;  for  all  his  ways  are 
'judgment,'  But  v;hatever  God  doth  will  abide 
the  strictest  CMamlnatlonin  that,  as  all  otlierpoints, 
Eccl.  iii»  11-.  *  I  know  that  whatsoever  God  doth, 
•■  it  shall  be  for  ever ;  nothing  can  be  put  to  it,  nor 

*  any  thing  taken  from  it:  And  God  doth  it  that 
'  rnen  may  fear  before  him.'  It  is  true,  many  times 
cast  up  to  us  as  the  due  time  for  lifting  up,  which 
yet  really  is  not  so,  because  there  are  some  cir- 
cumstances hid  to  us,  which  renders  that  season 


132  d /If  Crc/i-c  t/i  l,'tf  Lot' 

unfit  for  the  thing. — Hence,  John  vii.  6.  '  My  tlm  '^ 
'*  is  not  yet  come,  but  your  time  is  always  ready.'' 
But  when  all  the  circumstances,  always  foreknown 
of  God,  shall  come  to  be  opened  out,  and  laid  t  • 
gether  before  us,  w»  will  then  see  the  lifting  up 
is  come  in  the  nick  of  time,  most  for  the  honour 
of  God  and  our  good,  and  that  it  would  not  havo 
done  so  well  sooner. 

3.  When  the  time  comes  that  is  really  the  due 
time,  the  proper  time  for  the  lifting  up  a  child  of 
God  from  his  humbling  circumstances,  it  will  not 
be  put  off'  one  moment  longer,  Heb.  ii.  3.  '*  At 
**  the  end  it  shall  speak,  it  will  surely  come, 
*'  it  will  not  tarry."  Though  it  tarry,  it  will  not  lin- 
ger nor  put  off  to  another  time.  O,  what  rest  of 
heart  would  the  firm  faith  of  this  afford  us  !  there 
is  not  a  child  of  God  but  would,  with  the  utmost 
carefulness,  protest  agninst  the  lifting  up  before 
the  due  time,  as  against  an  unripe  fruit  casten  to 
him  by  an  angry  father,  that  would  set  his  teeth  on 
edge.  Sith  it  is  so  then,  could  we  firmly  believe 
this  point,  that  it  would  undoubtedly  Lome  in  th  : 
due  time,  without  losing  of  a  minute,  it  would  ai- 
ford  a  sound  rest.  It  must  be  so,  because  Gdd 
has  said  it ;  were  the  case  never  so  hopeless,  were 
mountains  of  difficulties  lying  in  the  way  of  it,  at 
the  appointed  time  it  will  hloxvy  (Heb.)  Hab.  ii. 
3.  A  metaphor  from  the  wind  rising  in  a  moment 
after  a  dead  calm. 

4.  The  humbling  circurustanc  js  are  ordinarily 
carried  to  the  utmost  point  of /io/»tf/fs*wrw  before 
the  lifting  up.  The  knife  was  at  Isaac's  throat 
be! ore  the  voice  was  heard.  2  Cor.  i.  8,  9.  "  For 
**  we  would  not,  brethren,    have  you   ignorant  of 

'"  our  trouble  which  came  to  us  in  Asia,  that  we 
**  were  pressed  out  of  measure,  above  strength,  \\\ 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  1 53 

•'  so  much  that  we  despaired  even  of  life  ;  but  we 
*•'  had  the  sentence  of  death  in  ourselves,  that  we 
"  should  not  trust  in  ourselves,  but  in  God,  who 
*"*  raiseth  the  dead."  Things  soon  seem  to  us  ar- 
rived at  that  point ;  such  is  the  hastiness  of  our 
spirits.  But  things  may  have  far  to  go  down  after 
we  think  they  are  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  And  we 
are  almost  as  little  competent  judges  of  the  point 
of  hopelessness,  as  of  the  due  time  of  lifting  up. 
But^  readily  God  carries  his  people's  humbling 
circumstances  downward,  still  dovmward,  till  they 
come  to  that  point.  Two  reasons  are  to  be  no- 
ticed. 

(1.)  One  from  the  explanatory  cause  of  it. 
Herein  God  is  holding  the  same  course  which  he 
held  in  the  case  of  the  man  Christ,  the  beloved 
pattern  copied  after  in  all  the  dispensations  of  Pro- 
vidence towards  the  church,  and  eveiy  particular 
believer,  Rom.  viii.  29.  He  was  all  along  a  man 
of  sorrows';  as  his  time  went  on,  the  waters  swel- 
led more,  till  he  was  brought  to  the  dust  of  death ; 
then  he  v/as  buried,  and  the  grave-stone  sealed, 
which  done,  the  world  thought  they  were  freely 
quit  of  him,  and  he  would  trouble  them  no  more. 
But  they  quite  mistook  it  ;  then,  and  not  till  then, 
was  the  due  time  for  lifting  him  up.  And  the 
liftings  up  that  his  people  get  most  reiTiarkably, 
are  only  little  pieces  fashioned  after  this  grand  pat- 
tern. 

(2.)  Another  from  xhtfnal  cause,  the  end  and 
design  Providence  aims  at  in  it,  and  that  is  to  car- 
ry the  believer  cleanly  off  his  own,  and  all  created 
bottoms,  to  bottom  his  trust  and  hope  in  the  Lord 
alone,  2  Cor.  i.  9.  "  That  we  should  not  trust  in 
*'  ourselves,  but  in  God  which  raiseth  the  dead." 
The  life  of  a  Christian  here  is  designed  to  be  a  life 


154  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

of  faith ;  and  though  faitii  may  act  more  easily 
tJiat  it  has  some  help  from  sense,  yet  it  certainly 
acts  most  nobly,  when  it  acts  over  the  belly  of 
acnsc.  Then  it  is  pure  faith,  when  it  stands  only 
on  its  own  native  legs,  the  power  and  word  of 
God,  Rom.  iv.  19,  20.  *'  And  being  not  weak  in 
"  faith,  he  considered  not  his  own  body  now  dead, 
"  neither  yet  the  deadness  of  Sarah's  womb.  He 
"  staggered  not  at  the  promise  of  God  through  un- 
*^  unbelief;  but  wa^.  strong  in  the  faith,  giving 
*^  glory  to  God."  And  thus  it  must  do,  when  mat- 
ters are  brought  to  the  utmost  point  of  hopeless- 
ness. 

5.  Due  preparation  of  the  heart,  for  the  lifting 
up  out  of  the  humbling  circumstances,  goes  l^fore 
the  due  time  of  that  lifting  up,  according  to  the 
promise.  It  is  not  so  in  ever\^  lifting  up  ;  the  lift- 
ing up  of  the  common  providences  are  not  so  cri- 
tically managed ;  men  will  have  them,  will  want 
them  no  longer,  and  God  flings  them  to  him  in  an- 
ger, ere  they  are  prepared  for  them,  Hos.  xiii.  1 1. 
^'  I  gave  thee  a  king  in  mine  anger."  They  can 
by  no  means  abide  the  trial,  and  God  takes  them 
off  as  reprobate  silver  that  is  not  able  to  abide"  it, 
Jer.  vi.  29,  30. 

This  due  preparation  consists  in  a  due  humilia- 
tion. Psalm  X.  17.  And  it  often  takes  much  work 
to  bring  about  this,  which  is  another  point  that  we 
are  very  incompetent  judges  of.  We  would  have 
thought  Job  was  brought  vcr}'  low  in  his  spirit,  by 
the  providence  of  God  bruising  him  on  the  one 
hand,  and  his  friends  on  the  other, for  a  longtime  : 
Yet,  after  all  he  had  endured  both  ways,  God  saw 
it  necessary  to  speak  to  him  himself,  for  his  humi- 
liation, chap,  xxxviii.  1.  By  that  speech  of 
God  himself  he  was  brought  to  his  krtees,  chap. 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot*  t53 

yA.  4,  5.  And  we  would  have  thought  he  was  then 
sufficiently  humbled,  and  perhaps  he  himself 
thought  so  too.  But  God  saw  a  farther  degree  of 
humiliation  necessary,  and  therefore  just  begins  a- 
new  to  speak  for  his  humiliation,  which  at  length 
laid  him  in  the  dust,  chap.  xlii.  5,  6.  And  when 
he  was  thus  prepared  for  lifting  up,  he  got  it. 

There  are  six  things  I  conceive,  belong  to  this 
humiliation,  preparatory  to  lifting  up. 

1.  A  deep  sense  of  5?/z/}///7r55  and  imuL^ortlimess 
of  being  lifted  up  at  all,  Job  xl.  4.  '^  Behold  I  am 
'S'ile,  what  shall  I  answer  thee  ?  I  will  lay  mine 
*Miand  upon  my  mouth."  People  may  be  long  in 
humbling  circumstances,  ere  they  be  brought  triis 
length ;  even  good  men  are  much  prejudiced  iii 
in  their  own  favours,  and  may  so  far  forget  them- 
selves as  to  think  God  deals  his  favours  unequally, 
and  is  mighty  severe  on  them  more  than  others. 
Elihu  marked  this  wrong  in  Job,  under  his  hum- 
bling circumstances.  Job  xxxiii.  10 — 12.  And  I 
believe  it  will  be  found,  there  is  readily  a  greater 
keenness  to  vindicate  our  honour  from  the  imputa- 
tion the  humbling  circumstances  s£em  to  lay  upon 
it,  than  to  vindicate  the  honour  of  God  in  the  jus- 
tice and  equity  of  the  dis;iiensation.  The  blindness 
of  an  ill  natured  world,  still  ready  to  suspect  the 
worst  causes  tor  humbling  circumstances,  as  if  the 
greatest  sufferers  v.ere  surely  the  greatest  sinners-v 
Luke  xiii.  4.  gives  a  handle  for  this  bias  of  the  cor- 
rupt nature.— Bat  God  is  a  jealous  God,  and  when 
iie  appears  sufficiently  to  humble,  he  ^vill  cause  the 
matter  of  our  honour  to  give  way,  like  a  sandy  brae 
under  our  feet,  while  we  shall  be  obliged  to  clever 
C^rip  hastily  J  to  the  vindication  of  his. 

2.  A  rcsignat'rjn  to  the  divine  pleasure  as  to  the 
tiovj  of  lifting  up.  God  gives  the  promise,  leaving 


150  i'he  Crook  in  tiie  Lai, 

the  time  blank  as  to  us.  Our  time  Is  aiways  .c...  , 
and  we  rashly  fill  it  up  at  our  own  hand.  God  does 
not  keep  our  time,  because  it  is  not  the  due  time. 
Hence  we  are  ready  to  think  his  word  fails,  where- 
as it  is  bat  our  harsh  conclusion  from  it  that  fails, 
Psal.  cxvi.  11.  "I  said  in  my  haste,  All  men  aie 
**  liars."  Several  of  the  saints  have  gotten  on  the 
finger  ends  by  this  means,  and  thereby  leai'ned  to 
let  alone  filling  up  that  blank.  Th^  first  promise 
was  thus  used  by  believing  Eve,  Gen.  iv.  1.  Ano- 
ther promise  was  so  by  believing  Abraham,  after 
about  ten  vears  on-waiting,  Gea  :;vi.  another  by 
David  , forfeited,  Psal.  cxvi.  11. 

If  this  be  the  case  of  any  child  of  God,  let  them 
not  be  discouraged  upon  it  thinking  they  were  over- 
rash  in  applying  the  promise  to  themselves '»  they 
were  only  so  in  applying  the  time  to  the  pro- 
mise j  a  snapper  that  saints  in  all  ages  have  made, 
-v;hich  they  repented,  and  saw  the  folly  of,  and  let 
alone  that  point  for  the  time  to  come  ;  and  then  the 
promise  was  fulfilled  in  its  own  due  time.  Let  them 
in  such  circumstances  go  and  do  lil:ev,-i<-e,  leaving 
tlic  time  entirely  to  tlic  Lord. 

3.  An  entire  resignation  as  to  th-  u  .  ^,   aul  m(t)i- 

72cr  of  bringing  it  about-     We  are  ready  to  do,  as 

to  the  wny  of  accomplishing  ihe  promise,  just  as 

with  the  time  of  it,  to  set  a  ^^articuiar  way  for  the 

Lord's  working  of  it  j  and  if. that  be  not  kept,  the 

proud  hw-art,  is  stumbled,  2  Kings  v.  11.     **  But 

•^  Na.nman  was  worth,  and  he  went  away^and  said, 

"Behold,  I  thought  he  will  surely  come  out  to  me, 

"  and  i>t 'xnd  and  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  his 

•*  God,  and  strike  his  hand  over  the  place."     But 

the  Lord  ^^•ill  have  his  people  broke  off  from  that 

to:»,   that  they  shall  prescribe  no  way  to  him,  but 

ieavc  that  to  him  v^atirelr^  us  in  that  same  case,  verse 

14.'^"He  Wf^nt  dor/aaml  Ciipptcl  himselt 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot,  I5f 

"  times  in  Jordan,  according  to  the  saying  of  the 
**  man  of  God — and  he  was  clean,''  The  compass 
of  our  knowledge  of  ways  and  means  is  very  nar- 
row, as  if  one  is  blockt  up,  oft-times  we  cannot  see 
another:  but  our  God  knows  many  ways  of  relief, 
where  we  know  but  one,  or  none  at  all;  aud  it  is^ 
very  usuid  for  the  Lord  to  bring  the  lifting  up  of 
his  people  in  a  way  they  had  no  view  to,  after 
repeated  disappointments  from  those  births  whence 
they  had  great  expectation. 

4.  Resignation  as  to  the  degree  of  the  lifting  up, 
yea,  and  as  to  the  very  being  of  it  in  time.  Th{: 
Lord  will  have  his  people  weaned  so,  that  howe- 
ver hasty  they  have  sometimes  been,  that  they  be- 
hoved tp  be  so  soon  lifted  up,  and  could  no  longer 
bear,  they  shall  be  brought  at  h.ngth  to  set  no  time 
at  all,  but  submit  to  go  to  the  grave  under  their 
weight,  if  it  seem  good  in  the  Lord's  eyes ;  and 
in  that  case  they  will  be  brought  to  be  content  with 
izxy  measure  of  it  in  time,  without  prescribing  how 
aiuch.  2  Sam.  xv.  23,  26.  "  If  I  shall  find  favour 
'^  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord, he  will  bring  me  again — 
"  Sut  if  he  thus  say,  I  have  no  delight  in  thtc  ; 
"  behold,  here  am  I,  let  him  do  to  mc  as  seemeth 
'•'  good  unto  him." 

5.  The  continuing  of  praiiing  and  xvait'ing  on 
the  Lord  in  the  case,  Eph.  vi.  18.  "  Praying  al- 
*'  ways  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  3pi« 
*'  rit,  and  watching  thereunto  v;ith  all  persever- 
'<  ance."  It  is  pride  of  heart,  and  unsubduedness 
of  spirit,  that  makes  people  give  over  praying  and 
waiting,  because  their  humbling  circumstances  arc 
lengthened  out  time  after  time,  2  Kings  vi.  33. 
But  due  humility,  going  before  the  Inting  up, 
brings    men  into  that  temper,  to  prav,  wait,  and 


1 5S  The  Crook  in  the  Lot. 

hang  on  resolutely,  setting  no  time  for  the  giving 
it  over,  till  the  lifting  up  come,  "whether  in  time  or 
<*ternin'.  Lam.  iii.  49,  50. 

6.  Mourning  under  ynisifianageynrnts  in  the  trial, 
Job  xlii.  3.  *^  Therefore  htive  I  uttered  that  I  un- 
''  dcrstood  not,  things  too  wonderful  for  me,  which 
'^  1  knew  not."     The  proud  heart  dwells  and  ex- 
tiates  on  the  man's  sufferings  in  the  trial,  and 
i5ts  out  all  the  folds  of  the  trial  on  that  side,  and 
:  -  ws  them  again  and  again.     But  when  the  Spi- 
rit of  God  comes  duly  to  humble,  in  order  to  lift- 
ing up,  he  will  cause  the  man  to  pass,  in  a  sort, 
the  suffering  liide  of  the  trial,  and  turn  his  eyes  on 
his  own  conduct  in  it,  ransack  it,  judge  himself  im- 
partially, and  condemn  himself;  so  that  his  mouth 
will  be  stopt.     This  is  that  humility  that  goeth 
before  the  lifting  up  in  time,  in  the  way  of  the 
omise.^ 

ir.  AVe  proceed  to  consider  the  lifting  up  as 
I'jQgVxt  about  at  the  cndofthne^  in  the  other  world 
And, 

\sl^  A  word  as  to  the  nature  of  this  lilLiiij^  u^>. 
Concerning  it  \\x  sliall  say  these  five  things : 
1.  There  is  a  ccrtaintij  of  thi^lifting  up,  in  all 
I  :c-3  of  the  humbled  under  humbling  circumstan- 
^. — Tho'  one  cannot,  in  every  case,  make  them 
ire  of  a  liliing  up  in  time,  yet  they  may  be  assu- 
red, be  tlie  case  what  it  will,  they  vv'ill,  without  all 
pcMidventure,  get  a  lifting  up  on  the  other  side,  2 
Cor.  V.   1.     *^  For  we  know,  that  if  our  earthly 
'•  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have 
' '  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands, 
'•  eternal  in  the  heavens."    Though  God's  humble 
i  hildren  may  both  breakfast  and  dine  on  bread  ol 
Iveraity,  and  water  of  afllicuon,  they  v/ill  be  sure 


The  Crook  in  the  Lot.  159 

to  sup  s^veetly  and  plentifully.  And  the  believing; 
expectation  of  the  latter  might  serve  to  qualify  the 
former,  and  make  easy  under  it. 

2.  It  will  be  a />^r/^c?  lifting  up,  Heb.  xii.  23. 
They  will  be  perfectly  delivered  out  of  their  particu- 
lar trials  and  special  furnace,  be  what  it  will,  that 
made  them  many  a  weary  day.  Lazanis  was  :hen 
delivered  from  his  poverty  and  Sores  and  lying  at 
the  rich  man's  gate,  Luke  xvi.  22.  and  iully  deliv- 
ered. Yea  will  get  a  lifting  up  from  all  their  hum- 
bling circumstances  together.  All  the  irr.perfec- 
tions  will  then  be  at  an  end,  inferiority  ia  relations, 
contradictions,  afflictions,  uncertainty',  and  sin.  If 
it  was  long  a  coming,  there  will  be  a  blessed  mo- 
ment v/hen  they  shall  get  all  together, 

3.  They  will  not  only  be  raised  out  of  their  low 
condition,  but  they  will  be  set  up  07i  hig-h^  as  Jo- 
seph:  not  only  brought  out  of  prison,  but  made 
ruler  over  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  they  will  be 
lifted  up, 

(1.)  Into  a  Yii^  place^  Luke  xvi.  22.  "  The  bcg- 
"  gar  died,  and  was  carried  by  the  angels  into  Abra- 
"  ham's  bosom."  Now  they  are  at  best  in  a  low  place, 
but  upon  this  earth;  there  they  will  be  seated  in 
the  highest  heavens,  Phil.  i.  23.  with  Eph.  iv.  10. 
Often  in  their  humbling  circumstances,  thev  ai^e 
obliged  now  to  embrace  dunghills  j  then  they  will 
be  set  with  Christ  on  his  throne,  Rev.  iii.  21.  *'  To 
'*  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me 
*'  on  my  throne."  Though  their  belly  now  cleayes 
to  the  earth,  and  men  say,  Bow  down,  that  we  may 
pass  over  you,  they  will  then  be  settled  in  the 
heavenly  mansions,  above  the  sun,  moon  and  stars. 
(2. J  Into  a  high  state  and  condition^  a  state  of 
perfection.  Out  of  all  their  troubles  and  uneasi- 
nesses, they  will  be  set  into  a  state  of  rest;  from 


their  mean  and  inglorious  condition,  they  will  be 
advanced  into  a  state  of  gloiy  ;  their  weighted  and 
sorrowful  life  will  be  succeeded  with  a  fulness  of 
joy  ;  and,  for  their  humbling  circumstances,  thc\ 
will  be  clothed  with  eternal  glor\^  and  honour. 

4.  It  will  be  2ijinal  lifting  up,  after  which  there 
will  be  no  more  casting  down  for  ever,  Rev  vii. 
16.  When  v/e  get  a  lifting  up  in  time,  we  are  apt 
to  imagine  fondly  we  are  at  the  end  of  our  trials  j 
but  we  soon  find  we  are  too  hasty  in  our  conclu- 
sions, and  the  cloud  returns,  Psal.  xxx.  6,  7.  "In 
<*  my  prosperity,  I  said,  I  shall  never  be  moved. 
''Thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled." 
But  then  indeed  the  trial  is  quite  over,  the  fight  is 
at  an  end,  and  then  is  the  time  of  the  retribution 
and  triumph. 

5.  There  will  not  be  the  least  remaining  uncasU 
^less  from  the  humbling  circumstances,  but,  on  the 
contrar)',  they  will  have  a  glorious  and  desireable 
effect.  I  make  no  question  but  the  saints  vfill  have 
the  remembrance  of  their  humbling  circumstances 
they  were  under  here  below.  Did  the  rich  man  in 
hell  remember  his  having  five  brethren  on  earth, 
how  sumptuously  he  fared,  how  Lazarus  sat  at  his 
gate  ;  and  can  we  doubt  but  the  saints  will  remem- 
ber perfectly  their  heavy  trials  ?<Rev.  vi.  10.  But 
rhen  they  will  remember  them  as  waters  that  fail ; 
as  the  man  recovered  to  health,  remembers  his  tos» 
sings  on  the  sick-bed;  and  that  is  the  way  of  re- 
membering that  sweetens  the  present  state  of  health 
beyond  what  otherwise  it  would  be.  Certainly  the 
shore  of  the  Red  Sea  was  the  place,  that  of  all  the 
places,  was  the  fittest  to  help  the  Israelites  to  sing 
m  the  highest  key,  Rev.  xv.  3.  And  the  humbling 
circumstances  of  saints  on  the  earth  will  be  of  the 

ame  use  to  them  in  heaven. 


The  Crook  tn  the  l.oi,  ic^i 

Udhj^  A  word  to  the  due  time  of  this  lifting  up. — 
There  is  a  particular  definite  time  for  it  in  everv- 
saint's  case,  which  is  the  due  time,  but  it  is  hid 
from  us.     We  can  only  say  in  general, 

1.  Then  is  the  due  time  for  it,  when  our  xuork  we 
have  to  do  in  this  world  is  over.  God  has  appoin- 
ted ever)'  one  their  task,  fight,  trial,  and  work" ;  and, 
till  that  is  done,  we  are  in  a  sort  immortal,  John 
ix.  4.  and  xi.  9.  That  work  is, 

(l.)  Da'ing  work  ;  work  set  to  us,  hy  the  great 
!Mastej%  to  be  done  for  the  honour  of  God  and  the 
good  of  our  fellow-creatures,  Eccl.  ix.  IC  We 
must  be  content  to  be  doing  on,  even  in  our  hum- 
bling circumstances,  till  that  be  done  out.  It  is 
not  the  due  time  for  that  lifting  up,  till  v/e  are  at 
the  end  of  that  work,  and  so  have  served  our  ge- 
neration. • 

(2.)  Suffering  work.  Tliere  is  a  certain  portion 
of  suffering  that  is  allotted  for  the  mystical  body  ; 
and  the  head  has  divided  to  the  sevei-al  mitnbers 
their  proportions  thereof;  and  it  i^not  the  due 
time  for  that  lifting  up,  till  we  hare  exhausted  tlie 
share  thereof  ^Hotted  to  us.  Paul  looked  pn  his 
life  as  a  going  on  in  that,  CoL  i.  24. 

2.  When  that  lifting  up  comes,  we  will  see  it  is 
come  exactly  in  the  due  time  ;  thr.t  it  was  well  it 
was  neither  sooner  nor  later;  for  though  heaven  is 
always  better  than  earth,  and  that  it  would  be  bet- 
ter for  us,  absolutely  speaking,  to  he  in  heaven  than 
on  earth ;  yet  certainly  there  is  a  time  v,^herein  it 
is  better  for  the  honour  of  God,  and  his  service, 
that  we  be  on  the  earth  than  in  heaven,  Phil.  i.  34. 
"  Nevertheless,  to  abide  in  the  flesh  is  more  need- 
"  ful  for  you."  And  it  will  be  no  grief  of  heart 
to  them  when  there,  that  they  were  so  long  in  their 
humbling  circumstances,  and  Were  not  brought 
sooner. 

O  2 


162  The  Crook  in  the  Lc(. 

Use  1.  Let  not  then  the  humble  cast  away  th.ii 
coJi/idencey  whatever  their  humbling  circumstanct 
be  ;  let  them  assure  themselves  there  will  come  a 
lifting  up  to  them  at  length ;  if  not  here,  yet  to  be 
sure  hereafter.  Let  them  keep  this  in  their  view, 
and  comfort  themselves  with  it,  for  God  has  said 
it,  Psalm  ix.  18.  "  The  needy  shall  not  alway  be 
"  forgotten."  If  the  night  were  never  so  long, 
th(-  moniing  will  eome  at  length. 

2.  Let  patience  have  her  perfect  work.  The  hus* 
bandman  waits  for  the  return  of  his  seed,  the  sea- 
merchant  for  the  return  of  his  ships,  the  store-mas- 
ter for  what  he  calls  year-time,  when  he  draws  in 
the  produce  of  his  flocks.  All  these  have  long  pa- 
tience and  why  should  not  the  Christian  too  have 
patience,  and  patiently  wait  for  the  time  appointed 
for  his  lifting  up  ? 

Ye  have  heard  much  of  the  Crook  in  the  Lot; 
the  excellency  of  humbleness  of  spirit  in  |a  low- 
lot,  beyond  nride  of  spirit,  though  joined  with  a 
high  one  : — -Ve  have  been  called  to  humble  your- 
selves in  your  humbling  circumstances,  and  assu- 
red in  that  case  of  a  lifting  up.  To  conclude  : 
We  may  assure  ourselves,  God  xvill  at  length  break 
in  pieces  the  proud ^  be  theij  never  so  high;  and  he 
will  triumphantly  lift  up  the  hunwle^  be  they  ever 
so  low* 


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